Maricarmen's Eviction: The Stark Reality of Spain's Housing Crisis

The image of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old pensioner, being evicted from the home she had lived in since 1956 in Madrid, has shocked Spanish society. This regrettable event is not an isolated incident, but rather the cruel reflection of a housing crisis affecting thousands of people, marked by escalating prices for rentals and sales, and by legislation that, until now, has proven insufficient to protect vulnerable groups.

Legal Fragility Against the Eviction of Vulnerable Individuals

Current law permits the eviction of individuals in vulnerable situations, a scenario that worsened after the fall of the "anti-eviction shield" in February 2026, following the Congress's rejection of its extension. Despite the government's promise of a housing decree that would offer definitive protection, it remains stalled. Maricarmen's case, where a real estate company refused to negotiate and rental offers tripled her income, exemplifies the legal loopholes and lack of political will to safeguard the right to housing.

"Administrations, including the Government, the Community, and the City Council, are incapable of protecting the right to stay in one's home or lack sufficient political will."

Statistics reflect the magnitude of the problem: in the first quarter of 2026, 2,600 evictions for non-payment of rent and 971 for mortgage foreclosures were carried out, figures that could increase due to the absence of firm protective measures.

The Market's Squeeze: Unaffordable Rentals and Purchases

Rental prices in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona have seen exorbitant increases since 2016, far exceeding wage growth. In Madrid, the average price per square meter for renting is close to 23.3 euros, meaning a 100-square-meter apartment costs an average of 2,330 euros per month, an unaffordable figure for most salaries. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the scarcity of housing supply and the stagnation of construction, which do not meet the growing demand.

A report by Caixabank Research indicates that nearly 30% of households dedicate more than 40% of their income to rent, well above international recommendations. Purchasing a home is also not a viable alternative, with prices requiring more than 7 years of gross salary to be amortized on average, and up to 15 years in areas like Madrid or the Balearic Islands.

The Trap of Temporary Rentals and Limited Public Housing

The new Housing Law aimed to alleviate this situation, but its effectiveness is diminished by the proliferation of tourist or seasonal rentals, which escape regulation and allow property owners to significantly increase prices. Investment funds and large companies have capitalized on this trend, rebranding it as coliving or flex living.

On the other hand, public housing, which should be an alternative, is scarce. Only 1.5% of the housing stock in Spain is protected. Despite efforts to increase its construction, the pace is insufficient and adds to the loss of protected housing that will soon cease to be so. The management of this housing is also questioned in some autonomous communities, where business models for large companies are prioritized over ensuring affordable access.

Spain's housing crisis is a multifaceted problem requiring urgent and coordinated solutions. Maricarmen's case serves as a wake-up call about the need to protect the fundamental right to housing and ensure a dignified housing future for all.