The eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home of 70 years has become a flashpoint in Spain's housing crisis, sparking mass protests and a national political battle over the right to housing. María del Carmen Abascal, known as Maricarmen, was forcibly removed from her apartment on Wednesday, but a subsequent agreement with her landlord will allow her to return under a new eight-year lease.
The case has galvanized public anger over soaring rents and home prices, with tens of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets in Madrid and other cities. The protests have directly challenged the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to take more decisive action on housing affordability, a crisis that is reshaping the country's social and political landscape.
Who is Maricarmen and why was she evicted?
Maricarmen, a resident of Madrid's El Retiro neighborhood, had lived in the same apartment on Alcalde Sainz de Baranda Street since 1956. She grew up there with her parents and later inherited their lease, paying around $568 (500 euros) per month under an old-style rental agreement.
Her ordeal began in March 2018 when the real estate company Urbagestión Desarrollo e Inversión purchased the apartment building for $280,787 (247,000 euros). The new owner demanded a rent up to four times higher, despite Maricarmen's pension of only $1,478 (1,300 euros) per month, according to the Madrid Tenants' Union.
In March 2020, the company filed a lawsuit to terminate her lease. Maricarmen won in a lower court, but the company's appeal succeeded in the Provincial Court. Subsequent appeals to the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court were dismissed, leading to four separate eviction attempts. Her lawyer, Beatriz Duro, said the company showed no interest in mediation or alternative solutions, including an offer from an anonymous donor to pay part of the rent.
What happened during the eviction and its aftermath?
Dozens of supporters gathered outside Maricarmen's home the night before the eviction, attempting to prevent it. Despite their efforts, she was removed on Wednesday and taken by stretcher to Gregorio Marañón Hospital, where she remains for medical tests.
From her hospital bed, Maricarmen recorded a video message urging supporters to keep fighting.
“I did not manage to defend my home, but I have fought so that others learn to fight for theirs. My house has been my life. And now I have to leave it behind. But that does not mean I will not keep fighting,” she said. “Please fight. I send you all a very big hug and thank you for everything.”
On Monday, her lawyers announced an agreement with the landlord: she will return to her home under a new eight-year contract at a rent similar to her previous one. The agreement is pending her signature once she is well enough.
How big is Spain's housing crisis?
The housing crisis in Spain is severe and worsening. In Madrid, rents have nearly doubled in a decade, rising from $14.55 (12.8 euros) per square meter in August 2016 to $26.49 (23.3 euros) in August 2026. The purchase price per square meter has skyrocketed by 227.9% in the same period.
These prices are out of step with average salaries. The average annual salary in Spain was around $33,596 (29,540 euros) in 2024. Renting a modest 50-square-meter apartment in Madrid would cost about $15,894 (13,980 euros) per year, nearly half of the average salary. UN-Habitat considers rent affordable only if it consumes less than 30% of income.
The Bank of Spain attributes much of the problem to a housing shortage of around 755,000 homes, which could reach one million by 2028.
What is the political response to the eviction?
The eviction has intensified a political battle over housing policy. Prime Minister Sánchez directly addressed Maricarmen at a Socialist Party rally, saying:
“I have a message for you, Maricarmen: the government is working around the clock to bring a Royal Decree on housing next Tuesday. And I ask parliamentary groups to make one last effort to have it validated in the National Parliament for Maricarmen.”
Maricarmen had previously criticized Sánchez, asking in an interview with RTVE:
“Does he not realize the quantity of evictions that there are daily? Does he not realize, or does he not want to realize?”
The government says it tried to purchase the home through its housing agency, Casa 47, to provide her with affordable rent, and criticizes local and regional authorities for inaction. The president of the Madrid region, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, countered that the eviction was carried out by National Police officers managed by the central government, under a law the government had eight years to amend.
Members of the coalition partner Sumar are pushing for a Royal Decree-Law that would freeze rent prices and halt evictions like Maricarmen's. They have even proposed expropriating the home in question.
What happens next for Maricarmen and Spain's housing policy?
Maricarmen's immediate future is secured by the new rental agreement, but her case has become a symbol of a much larger struggle. The Madrid City Council has rejected a proposal to include her building in a program for affordable housing, but has offered a mediation service for future negotiations.
The broader question remains whether the political momentum generated by this case will translate into meaningful policy change. The proposed Royal Decree on housing, if approved, could be a turning point. For many, Maricarmen's fight is not over; it has just begun.
Frequently asked questions about the Spain housing crisis
Why are rents so high in Spain?
Rents have risen sharply due to a combination of factors, including a severe housing shortage (estimated at 755,000 homes), increased demand in major cities, and the growth of short-term tourist rentals which reduce the long-term housing supply.
What is the Spanish government doing about the housing crisis?
The government has proposed a Royal Decree on housing that could include rent freezes and measures to halt evictions. It also operates the Casa 47 housing agency to facilitate affordable rentals and is under pressure from coalition partners to adopt more aggressive measures.
Is the housing crisis affecting all of Spain equally?
No, the crisis is most acute in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, where prices have risen fastest. Rural areas and smaller towns have not seen the same level of price increases, though they face their own challenges with depopulation.
What can citizens do to address the housing crisis?
Citizens are organizing through tenant unions and protest movements to demand stronger tenant protections, rent controls, and a ban on evictions without alternative housing. Participating in these groups and voting for candidates with clear housing platforms are key ways to push for change.