Thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid to demand affordable housing and reasonable rents, with the protest organized by various neighborhood and tenant associations. The demonstrators marched through the city, calling for housing to be recognized as a right and not a business. They carried banners with messages such as “Lower prices” and chanted slogans like “We can’t make ends meet. If prices don’t come down, rent strike.” The protest highlighted the housing crisis in Madrid and other Spanish cities, with protesters directing their anger not only at landlords but also government officials.
The spokesperson for the tenant union warned landlords and real estate firms that their “impunity is over,” hinting at a possible rent strike if prices continue to rise. Protesters demanded the resignation of Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez, accusing her of inaction on the housing crisis. They also targeted the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, for opposing the national housing law. The high cost of housing in Madrid is severely affecting the quality of life of residents, with more than 50% of workers’ salaries going towards housing expenses.
The protest also focused on vulture funds, accusing them of evicting long-time residents without offering alternatives. Specific buildings owned by these funds were highlighted as a threat to affordable housing in the city. This rally in Madrid is part of a larger movement, with similar protests planned in other cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga. Organizers, such as the Platform for the Right to Housing, are working at a grassroots level to unite communities in the fight for affordable housing.
Despite the introduction of a State Housing Law and other measures, protesters argue that these initiatives are not enough to address rising housing costs. They are calling for stricter controls on evictions, more regulation on rent prices, and increased investment in social housing. The protest in Madrid and other cities reflects a growing concern about the lack of affordable housing options and the impact of high rents on residents, particularly young people who are struggling with low wages and high housing expenses. The demand for housing to be recognized as a right and not a business is a central theme of the protests, as demonstrators push for action from government officials to address the housing crisis.
