Why Did It Take an 87-Year-Old to Push Spain to Act on the Housing Crisis?

Overview

As in many European cities, affordable housing is increasingly out of reach in Madrid. Rising rents, a shortage of homes and property speculation have fueled growing anger. When 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted on September 23, protests spread across Spain. The government responded with new measures to strengthen tenant protections, though critics doubt they will solve the crisis.