Spain Takes New Steps to Address Growing Housing Crisis

The Spanish government has announced a new plan to help solve the country’s housing crisis. This move comes after a wave of public anger across the nation. The situation became a top priority for politicians last week when an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, was removed from her apartment in Madrid on a stretcher. Her eviction caused many people to protest in the streets, demanding that the government take action to protect tenants.

According to The Guardian, the government has approved two new decrees — official orders that have the force of law — to address the issue. These measures include extending a ban on evictions for vulnerable tenants until 2030. Vulnerable tenants are people who are at high risk, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. The government also plans to regulate temporary rentals and stop large investment companies, often called “vulture funds,” from buying up properties until 2028. A vulture fund is a company that buys property to make a quick profit, often making it harder for regular people to find affordable homes.

While the government hopes these steps will provide relief, the path to making them law is difficult. The coalition government does not have a majority in Congress, which means they need support from other political parties to pass these rules. The government has requested a special meeting in parliament to discuss these changes as soon as possible. However, the process is complicated because the government has split its housing plan into two separate decrees. Some political groups have suggested they might support one part of the plan but vote against the other.

Public reaction to the government’s announcement has been mixed. Mónica García, the health minister, celebrated the decision. She stated that the government is finally working to fix the balance between normal citizens and large property companies. On the other hand, groups representing tenants are more cautious. The Tenants’ Union, which organized protests in Madrid, said they need to look closely at the details of the plan. Alicia Del Río, a spokesperson for the union, criticized the government for splitting the plan into two parts. She argued that the government should accept the full set of changes that the public is demanding rather than breaking them into smaller, less effective pieces.

Political disagreements remain a major hurdle. The Catalan party Junts, whose support is necessary for the laws to pass, has expressed concerns. They argue that the government’s plan does not treat small landlords fairly. Míriam Nogueras, a spokesperson for Junts, noted that owning two properties is very different from owning entire buildings, yet the current proposal does not make this distinction. Meanwhile, the leader of the conservative People’s party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, criticized the government’s approach. He claimed that the housing crisis was created over many years and cannot be fixed with quick, temporary solutions.

In the case of Maricarmen Abascal, the company responsible for her eviction, Urbagestión, has since offered to let her return to her apartment. The company stated that her rent would not be more than 30% of her income. Abascal has accepted this offer, which will allow her to pay 533 euros per month. While this is a positive result for one person, it has not stopped the broader protests. Hundreds of people have continued to camp out in Madrid’s main square, calling for deeper legal reforms, such as a freeze on rent prices and the automatic renewal of rental agreements.

Looking ahead, the government has 30 days to reach an agreement with its allies in Congress. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether these new housing protections become a reality or if the government must return to the drawing board. For many people in Spain, the current situation is a matter of basic survival. As the debate continues, the pressure on politicians to find a lasting solution remains high, as the cost of living continues to make housing a central issue for families across the country.