An 87-year-old woman was evicted from her Madrid flat after she could not meet the rent demanded by a new property owner, underscoring Spain’s worsening housing shortage.
What happened
Maricarmen, an octogenarian tenant, was forced to leave her apartment when the firm that recently purchased the building raised the rent beyond her means. She was unable to pay the higher amount and was subsequently evicted.
Why it matters
The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly renters in Spain’s tight rental market. Rising rents and limited affordable units are pushing vulnerable populations toward homelessness.
Background
Spain has faced a chronic shortage of affordable housing for years, with demand outstripping supply in major cities like Madrid. Property investors often acquire older buildings, renovate them, and increase rents, a practice that has drawn criticism from housing advocates.
What comes next
Housing groups are calling for stronger tenant protections and rent-control measures. The government has indicated plans to review rental regulations, but no concrete policy changes have been announced yet.