An image of an elderly woman, 87, being carried away on a stretcher by paramedics ignited a nationwide movement in Spain. The woman, Maricarmen Abascal, was not suffering from illness but was facing eviction from her long-time home.
Maricarmen had resided in her Madrid apartment for over 70 years, having inherited the lease from her father, who signed it in 1956. This arrangement allowed her to benefit from a rent cap. However, the situation changed dramatically in 2018 when an investment firm acquired the property, leading to a staggering increase in her rent from €500 ($811) to €1,650 ($2,678).
As a retired individual with a disability, Maricarmen’s monthly income of €1,350 ($2,192) was insufficient to cover the new rental costs, resulting in her forced eviction through a court order. The incident has resonated deeply with many Spaniards, reflecting widespread discontent regarding the ongoing housing crisis exacerbated in recent years.
Previous protests in the city had included creative tactics, such as flotillas blocking cruise ships and water pistol demonstrations, where residents expressed their frustration over the impact of tourism on housing affordability. However, Maricarmen’s case has emerged as a potential turning point in the fight for tenant protections.
Just days before her eviction, Maricarmen invited writer David Uclés into her home in the Retiro neighborhood, where she shared memories that spanned decades. She recalled watching the news of former dictator Francisco Franco’s death in 1975 and the final moments of her parents within the same walls. “I’ve always felt safe here,” she shared. “This home has meant everything to me. Without it, I wouldn’t exist.”
The apartment has served as Maricarmen’s sanctuary since she was a teenager, though it has recently become a site of conflict. Following the purchase by Urbagestión, the firm initially sought to raise her rent to an exorbitant €2,650 ($4,313), a 300% hike, later adjusting it to €1,650 ($2,678). This initiated a prolonged legal battle, with three prior eviction attempts thwarted by the courts, drawing increasing public interest each time.
In June, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights intervened, urging the suspension of her eviction and the provision of affordable housing alternatives. The Madrid City Council later indicated that Maricarmen had turned down an offer for a spot in a care home. However, in late September, the courts ruled in favor of Urbagestión, confirming her eviction.
A large gathering of supporters formed outside Maricarmen’s residence to stand with her. As she addressed the crowd on September 22, she urged them to “Fight for your housing because we have the right to it.” The following morning, police forcibly entered her home, while reporters were kept at a distance and several demonstrators were detained.
In the past decade, rental prices in Spain have nearly doubled, with the average reaching €15.10 ($24.62) per square meter in August, according to data from Idealista. The Bank of Spain has highlighted a shortage of approximately 700,000 homes, a disparity driven by demand outpacing new construction. Social housing accounts for less than 2% of the national housing stock, a stark contrast to the EU average of around 6-7%.
Despite Maricarmen’s hospitalization, protests continued to grow. Activists established a tent encampment in Puerta del Sol, a prominent area in Madrid. “Maricarmen represents just one individual, but countless others face similar challenges,” a protester noted. “We demand the right to decent housing for everyone.” Simón de la Riva, a 43-year-old teacher, remarked that Maricarmen’s situation has catalyzed social unrest that has been long in the making.
The encampment, largely organized by Madrid’s Tenant Union, emphasized their demands through spokesperson Valeria Racu, stating that either the rental practices of investment firms must change or the government needs to change. With elections anticipated in less than a year, pressure mounts on the political leadership.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced efforts to expedite new housing regulations, citing the need to act “against the clock” to address the crisis. He assured the public that these measures would be for Maricarmen and the millions of others grappling with housing issues, emphasizing that this is a matter of humanity, not ideology.
Urbagestión’s co-owner, Ricardo Alonso, expressed surprise at the intensity of the protests, acknowledging the overwhelming public support for Maricarmen. Ultimately, after five days of demonstrations and extensive negotiations, Urbagestión agreed to offer her a new eight-year lease with rent capped at 30% of her income, mirroring her previous arrangement.
Following this, Sánchez proposed new housing initiatives aimed at curbing the power of investment firms that purchase properties in bulk for resale at inflated prices, a temporary eviction ban for vulnerable tenants until 2030, and a tax on seasonal rentals. However, these proposals faced rejection in Congress, raising concerns that Sánchez may call for early elections due to his lack of a legislative majority.
Despite these political challenges, the tent encampments in Madrid show no signs of diminishing. Similar movements have emerged in other cities across Spain, including Barcelona, Seville, and Palma de Mallorca, as the fight for housing rights continues to gain momentum.
