The recent eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her long-time residence in Madrid has cast a spotlight on Spain’s ongoing housing crisis. Maricarmen, who had lived in the Retiro neighborhood for over 70 years, was forced to leave her home due to an inability to meet the increased rent demands set by the investment firm that owns the property.
Background on the Eviction
Maricarmen’s connection to the apartment dates back to 1956 when her father first rented it. Following her parents’ passing, she continued to reside there under a rent-controlled agreement. However, after the property was acquired by Urbagestión in 2018, a legal loophole allowed them to drastically raise the rent from €500 to €2,650, later reduced to €1,650. Despite the reduction, Maricarmen’s pension of €1,350 was insufficient to cover the new cost.
Efforts to prevent her eviction included three blocked attempts by the courts, and the case has garnered significant media coverage. On the night before the eviction, supporters including celebrities like Carlos Bardem and singer Ana Belén gathered outside the building, reading poetry and chanting in support of Maricarmen.
Public and Legal Response
The eviction process was met with resistance from activists and supporters who attempted to block access to the building. Police intervened, using batons to disperse the crowd and secure the entrance. Beatriz Duro, Maricarmen’s lawyer, criticized the scale of the police presence, likening it to a military operation.
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had previously urged a halt to the eviction and suggested providing Maricarmen with affordable housing alternatives. Though local authorities offered her a place in an elderly care home, she declined the option.
Government and Market Dynamics
The central government tried to negotiate a solution with Urbagestión, but the company rejected both their attempts and an anonymous donor’s offer to pay most of Maricarmen’s rent. Housing Minister Teresa Rodríguez expressed sorrow over the eviction, attributing it to unchecked market speculation and the prioritization of profit over people.
Spain has faced rising housing costs, with Madrid experiencing more than a 100% increase in rental prices over the past decade. The government under Pedro Sánchez has criticized investment practices that inflate housing costs, yet some argue that more proactive measures are needed to expand housing stock and encourage property owners to rent out homes.
