Dramatic eviction of woman aged 87 highlights Spain's housing shortage
Summary
An 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen was evicted from her home in Madrid after living there for 70 years. The rent was increased sharply by a company that bought the property, making it too expensive for her pension, and despite legal challenges and public protests, the eviction took place.Key Facts
- Maricarmen was the tenant of a flat in Madrid’s Retiro area for 70 years, originally rented by her father in 1956.
- The property was bought in 2018 by a company called Urbagestión, which raised her rent from €500 to €2,650, later lowered to €1,650.
- Maricarmen’s monthly pension is €1,350, less than the new rent.
- Courts had previously blocked her eviction three times, but this time it happened with police involvement.
- Hundreds of protesters and some celebrities gathered to support Maricarmen before the eviction.
- The UN called for the eviction to stop and suggested affordable alternative housing, but Maricarmen declined local government offers.
- An anonymous donor offered to pay most of her rent, but the company refused and proceeded with eviction.
- Spain faces a housing shortage, causing large rent increases, especially in cities like Madrid.
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