How Europe’s housing crisis is fuelling a new movement

An 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, whose eviction last Wednesday from her Madrid home sparked protests, has accepted an offer to return. Hundreds of people continue to camp in a main square protesting her removal, which occurred while she was on a stretcher. In response to the housing crisis, Spain's coalition government has agreed on proposals, including a ban on evictions until 2030. Protesters are advocating for legal reforms such as a rent freeze and automatic lease renewals.

Spain's Socialist Workers' party-led coalition government has approved measures to address the housing crisis, including extending a ban on evictions for vulnerable tenants until 2030. This plan follows public outcry over the eviction of an 87-year-old disabled woman from her Madrid apartment. The government's decrees require approval from Congress, where they lack a majority, and a special parliamentary session has been requested. Key measures include regulating temporary and room lettings, banning vulture funds from buying property until 2028, and extending current rental agreements. While some parties support the first decree, opposition is expected for the second. The company that evicted the elderly woman has since offered her a reduced rent.

Spain's coalition government has approved new housing measures aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis, following protests sparked by an eviction. The proposed measures, which require parliamentary approval, include a potential ban on evictions until 2030 and the automatic renewal of tenant contracts until 2028. Additionally, the government plans to implement stricter regulations for short-term and room rentals and prohibit investment firms from purchasing housing. These changes are intended to intervene in the speculative housing market and create a balance between citizens and investment funds. While the Health Minister stated the measures would benefit over five million people, an opposition politician expressed concern for small landlords.

An 87-year-old woman, Maria del Carmen Abascal, will return to her Madrid home after mass protests against Spain's housing crisis. A real estate firm backed down and restored her old rent following her eviction last week. The firm had significantly increased her rent after purchasing her building, aiming to convert the property for tourist use. This led to widespread demonstrations organized by Madrid's tenants' union, drawing tens of thousands of people. The government has proposed extending tenant safeguards through 2030, though this package may face opposition. Abascal's rent will now be capped at approximately $570 per month for eight years.

An 87-year-old disabled woman, Maricarmen Abascal, who was forcibly evicted from her Madrid apartment of over 70 years on September 23rd, will be allowed to return home. Her eviction, which occurred after her rent was significantly increased by the investment firm that purchased the property, sparked widespread protests across Spain and drew the attention of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has promised housing relief measures. According to her lawyer, a new contract has been agreed upon, allowing Abascal to pay a similar rent amount to what she previously paid, thus averting a substantial price hike. The investment firm had initially increased her rent from €500 to €2,650 per month, a sum she could not afford on her €1,350 pension, even after a later reduction offer.

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.