Elderly Woman Evicted After 70 Years Sparks Housing Crisis in Madrid

Seventy‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her Madrid apartment after decades of residence, sparking widespread protests and drawing attention to Spain’s escalating housing crisis. The incident underscores the tension between property investors and long‑term tenants amid rising rents and…

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:54:47 GMT

On Wednesday, 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal was forcibly removed from the apartment she had called home for more than seven decades. The eviction, carried out in Madrid’s Retiro district, was witnessed by a crowd of supporters and police officers and left the elderly woman on a stretcher, later transported in an ambulance. The event has become a flashpoint in Spain’s growing housing crisis, where gentrification and short‑term rentals have pushed rents higher and squeezed affordable housing.

Background: A Long‑Term Resident Meets a New Owner

Abascal’s building was purchased by an investment fund, Urbagestión, in 2018. The new owners demanded a steep rent increase, a move that triggered a legal battle that has spanned more than five years. Despite court filings and humanitarian appeals, the fund refused to suspend the eviction, citing the need to enforce the new lease terms. Abascal’s lawyer, Beatriz Duro, described the force used as “completely disproportionate and unnecessary,” and accused the owners of inhumanity.

For Abascal, the eviction felt like a threat to her very existence. In a television interview the day before, she compared the situation to living with a machete at her back, ready to be cut down at any moment. An anonymous individual had offered to cover her rent, but the landlord declined to sign a new lease, leaving Abascal with no alternative housing.

Public Reaction: Protests Across Spain

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the building overnight, demanding that the eviction be halted. Police officers held back the crowd, and the scene was captured on video, which quickly spread across social media. The Madrid tenants union posted a clip of Abascal thanking supporters, highlighting the solidarity that has grown around her case.

The incident has galvanized tenants’ unions and housing advocates nationwide. On Thursday, protests and rallies were held in 16 cities, including Granada, Logroño, and Zaragoza. The Madrid tenants union announced a major protest scheduled for Saturday evening. The wave of demonstrations reflects a broader frustration with the rapid rise in rents and the shrinking supply of affordable housing in major Spanish cities.

Political and EU Context

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the eviction as a “social tragedy” and criticized the Madrid regional government for prioritizing luxury developments over social housing. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sánchez accused the regional authorities of ignoring the demand for affordable homes.

The European Union has also taken notice. Earlier this month, the EU introduced new rules aimed at curbing the impact of short‑term rentals in tourism hotspots, a factor that has contributed to the housing crunch. The EU’s measures come amid growing concerns that housing is being treated as a commodity rather than a fundamental right.

Voices from the Community

Irene Hernández López, a 31‑year‑old test engineer renting in Chamberí, expressed outrage over Abascal’s eviction. She described the housing market as a “product” that people “do business with,” noting that rents have surged to €500–€600 for rooms in shared apartments. Hernández López worries that similar evictions could target other tenants, especially those who have lived in their homes for many years.

Internationally, Dan Nicander, secretary‑general of the International Union of Tenants, echoed these concerns. He argued that the financialization of housing turns homes into assets rather than places of residence, and called for political action to regulate the market and protect tenants’ rights.

What Happens Next?

Abascal’s case remains unresolved. While the Madrid tenants union plans further protests, the investment fund has not responded to requests for comment. The legal battle continues, with court officials and representatives of Urbagestión refusing to suspend the eviction despite pending filings and humanitarian appeals. The broader housing crisis in Spain, driven by gentrification and short‑term rentals, continues to fuel public anger and calls for systemic reform.

As the city and the country grapple with these challenges, the story of Maricarmen Abascal serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind the statistics and headlines. The outcome of her case may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future.

Key facts

87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal evicted after 70 years in Madrid apartment
Investment fund Urbagestión demanded steep rent increase, sparking legal battle
Hundreds protested; police intervened; video spread online
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned eviction as social tragedy
EU introduced rules to curb short‑term rentals impacting affordable housing

Why it matters

Abascal’s eviction highlights the urgent need for housing policy reforms that protect long‑term residents from aggressive landlord practices and ensure affordable housing remains available in Spain’s major cities.

Frequently asked questions

What triggered Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction?

The building was purchased by the investment fund Urbagestión in 2018, which demanded a steep rent increase that Abascal refused to pay, leading to a legal battle.

How has the public reacted?

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the building, and protests were organized in 16 cities across Spain to oppose the eviction and highlight the broader housing crisis.

What actions have politicians taken?

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the eviction a social tragedy and criticized regional authorities for prioritizing luxury developments over affordable housing.