Evicted Spanish Woman That Sparked Protests Passes Away, But the Fight Continues for Fair Housing
An 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen Abascal recently became the face of Spain’s housing crisis. According to the BBC, the disabled senior’s recent eviction prompted massive protests across the country. Unfortunately, reports of her passing surfaced. But the fight for fairer housing continues throughout the country.
Here’s a look at what happened between the time she was evicted and passed away.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s cabinet agreed on housing relief measures after people took to the streets in anger once they learned the details of Abascal’s eviction. According to France 24 English, people were upset that the 87-year-old was forcibly removed from her home of 70 years after investors bought the property and increased the rent.
Footage showed the woman being wheeled out of the house and into an ambulance, which took her to a hospital where she was admitted. The eviction came after Abascal was unable to pay the new rent price, which was increased from the U.S. equivalent of $572 per month to $3,020.
Thousands of people showed up to protest in Madrid, prompting the government to take action.
Tents Were Put Up Around Madrid’s Puerta del Sol
Abascal was told that she could return to her home once she was released from the hospital, according to her lawyer, Beatriz Duro. Duro explained how “good will from both parties” led to a new rental agreement that would allow her to continue paying the same amount of rent under her new contract. Abascal was expected to sign off on the new terms once she has recovered. Unfortunately, the 87-year-old died before she was ever able to return to her home, according to Reuters, highlighting the dangers of Spain’s new housing trends.
Around 1,000 protesters pitched tents in the city as a sign of protest against Spain’s growing housing crisis in the days before Abascal’s death. According to the BBC, the city’s Tenants’ Union used the situation to call for better housing reforms “so that there are no more Maricarmens.” Meanwhile, tens of thousands of protesters gathered as well, calling for stronger tenant protections and to object to Abascal’s treatment.
The issue stems from a lack of housing inventory, according to the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who told the outlet that the country needed 1 million more homes to address the growing population. However, those homes haven’t materialized.
Another issue is that existing housing is being purchased by firms that are increasing rent prices beyond what residents can pay. The government said it would release a new plan on Tuesday, giving residents insight into how it plans to help.
The Spanish Government Revealed Its Big Plan
According to Euronews, the Spanish government stuck to the Tuesday deadline and revealed two new measures on Sept. 29, each of which has four pillars. First, it will work to protect tenants from evictions like the one Abascal faced. This first decree will also take on abuses in rental markets, curb speculation, and make housing more affordable.
The second decree is all about improving rental contracts, which will give tenants more security and stability. The government is calling these two measures a social shield, and they are trying to keep it in place until 2030 to protect residents.
Protesters Remain at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol
It doesn’t sound like protesters plan to let up at all, and the Tenants’ Union still plans to keep its encampment up at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. While local authorities have given organizers 48 hours to disband, it doesn’t look like they plan on going anywhere until they are satisfied that no one faces what Abascal did again.
