After housing protests turned violent, Spain will tax seasonal rentals to build a 10 billion euro fund into first-home loans

Spain's government has approved urgent measures to address the housing crisis after violent protests erupted in Barcelona over the weekend. The unrest was triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, María del Carmen Abascal, from her home in Madrid. Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, called for an early election on November 29 to address the housing crisis, which has left many Spaniards priced out of the market despite strong economic growth.

The government has approved 21 measures, including facilitating renting or buying a new home, extending eviction protections for vulnerable residents, regulating room rentals, and imposing a tax on seasonal rentals. A 10 billion euro fund will be created to provide loans of up to 50,000 euros for first-time homebuyers. The measures, which need to be ratified by an interim legislature, require only 35 votes to pass.

Sánchez emphasized that the issue is a matter of common sense and not ideology, urging Spaniards to stand up to the powerful.