Dramatic eviction of woman aged 87 highlights Spain's housing shortage

An 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen was dramatically evicted from her Madrid apartment of 70 years due to an inability to pay a significantly increased rent. The property was purchased in 2018 by Urbagestión, which, citing a legal loophole, raised her rent from €500 to €2,650, later reduced to €1,650. Maricarmen's monthly pension of €1,350 was insufficient to cover this new amount. Despite previous court blocks, the eviction proceeded, drawing significant media attention and protests from supporters, including celebrities, who gathered to prevent it. This incident highlights Spain's housing crisis.

Riot police used teargas and baton charges in Madrid on Wednesday to clear protesters who were attempting to prevent the eviction of an 87-year-old disabled woman named Maricarmen from her home of 71 years. Hundreds of demonstrators, including activists and celebrities, gathered to protest the eviction, which was ordered after a developer bought the building and Maricarmen was unable to afford the offered purchase price or the significantly increased rent. Despite the protest, the eviction was carried out. Housing rights campaigners have criticized the landlord's actions, highlighting Maricarmen's difficult financial situation and the fact that her father originally held the lease for the apartment.