Spain's Housing Crisis Exposed by Eviction of 87-Year-Old Madrid Woman

An 87-year-old woman was evicted from her Madrid apartment on Wednesday after failing to pay a rent increase demanded by the property's investment firm owner, highlighting Spain's severe housing crisis. She had lived there for 70 years. Maricarmen paid 500 euros monthly under a Franco-era lease, but the new owner demanded up to 2,650 euros, exceeding her 1,350-euro pension. Courts ruled against her after years of litigation, and the eviction proceeded despite protests and UN intervention requests. Activists blocked the building entrance, and police removed them. Spain's housing minister called the eviction tragic, while experts cite a housing shortage and legal uncertainty as key drivers of rising rents and displacement.