Evicted 87-Year-Old Spanish Woman Expected to Return Home

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who has become a symbol of Spain's housing crisis, will reportedly be able to move back into her Madrid apartment, her lawyer announced. Abascal was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her home of over 70 years on September 23, subsequently requiring hospital admission.

Her eviction ignited widespread anger across Spain, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's cabinet to agree on housing relief measures. Abascal's lawyer stated that a new contract would involve a similar rent amount, thus preventing a significant price increase.

Highlights

• 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was forcibly evicted from her Madrid apartment on September 23.
• The eviction triggered large-scale protests across Spain and led to government action on housing measures.
• Abascal's lawyer announced an agreement with the investment company, allowing her to return home under a new rental contract.
• The new agreement is expected to maintain a similar rent, avoiding a substantial hike.
• The deal was welcomed by up to 1,000 protesters who had set up tents in Madrid's Puerta del Sol.

Details

Maricarmen Abascal's father first rented the property in 1956, and she continued as the tenant after her parents' deaths, benefiting from a rent cap. Urbagestión, the investment company that purchased the property in 2018, increased the rent from €500 to €2,650 per month. Although the company later offered to reduce it to €1,650, Abascal, with a monthly pension of €1,350, could not afford it. Three previous eviction attempts were blocked by the courts.

Beatriz Duro, Abascal's lawyer, stated that the agreement was a result of "goodwill from both parties" and that Abascal would sign the deal once she felt better. The agreement still awaits Abascal's approval. Madrid's Tenants' Union called for deeper housing reforms to prevent similar cases. The Bank of Spain estimates the country needs 700,000 more homes to meet demand.

Why it matters

Maricarmen Abascal's case has brought Spain's severe housing crisis into sharp focus, highlighting the struggles of thousands facing eviction due to soaring rents and housing shortages. This incident has spurred the government to reconsider its housing policies and implement new tenant protection measures, demonstrating the significant impact of social mobilization and public pressure on national policy.