Thousands of protesters gathered in Madrid on Sunday to demand affordable housing and lower rents, as the housing market in Spain’s capital continues to be squeezed. The protest was organized by the Sindicato de Inquilinas tenants union, with support from 40 other neighborhood and tenant organizations. Participants held banners calling for lower prices and chanted slogans such as “If prices do not fall, rent strike.” Tenant union spokesperson Valeria Racu warned landlords and real estate firms that their “impunity is over” and threatened a potential rent strike if prices continue to rise.
Protesters directed their anger at government officials as well as landlords, calling for the resignation of Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez for her alleged inaction during the housing crisis. President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, was also targeted for opposing landmark legislation aimed at capping rent prices and addressing the housing crisis. Despite the protesters’ demands, neither politician publicly responded to the criticism. The rally also highlighted the impact on tenants, with more than half of a worker’s salary in Madrid going towards housing costs, severely affecting residents’ quality of life, especially with low wages.
In addition to demanding affordable housing, protesters also criticized vulture funds, accusing them of evicting long-time residents without offering alternatives and threatening the availability of affordable housing. Specific buildings owned by these funds were highlighted during the protest, emphasizing the detrimental impact they have on housing in the city. The Madrid rally is part of a larger movement for affordable housing, with similar protests scheduled in other cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga. Grassroots organizations like the Platform for the Right to Housing are working to unite communities in the fight for more affordable housing.
Despite the introduction of a State Housing Law and other measures, protesters argue that these initiatives are not enough to address the rising housing costs in Spain. They are calling for stricter controls on evictions, increased regulation on rent prices, and greater investment in social housing to ensure more affordable options are available for residents. The ongoing protests are putting pressure on politicians and landlords to take action on the housing crisis, demanding changes to make housing more accessible and affordable for all residents. The demonstrations in Madrid and other cities reflect a growing frustration with the current housing situation and the need for significant reforms to address the affordability and availability of housing in Spain.
