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Evicted Spanish pensioner, Maricarmen Abascal, can move home, lawyer says
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old disabled woman evicted from her Madrid apartment, will be allowed to return under a new rental agreement after negotiations between her lawyer and the property owner, Urbagestión.
- The eviction, which sparked nationwide protests and public outrage, highlighted Spain's housing crisis, with rent hikes from €500 to €2,650 making the apartment unaffordable on her pension.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised housing relief measures amid growing pressure, with his cabinet set to discuss reforms aimed at protecting tenants and addressing the housing shortage.
- Supporters and tenant unions welcomed the agreement as a victory but continue to demand deeper reforms to prevent similar evictions and ensure more affordable housing in Spain.
- Spain faces a significant housing deficit, with the Bank of Spain estimating a shortage of 700,000 homes, intensifying calls for government action including eviction moratoriums and tax hikes on tourist accommodations.
