Spain’s coalition government has approved new housing measures in response to protests over the housing crisis, following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home last week.
Ministers discussed the proposals on Tuesday, which may include a ban on evictions until 2030, according to Health Minister Mónica García. She stated that the measures aim to assist more than five million people, but opposition politician Míriam Nogueras argued that small landlords are not sufficiently considered in the agreement.
The new housing measures still require parliamentary approval, as the leftist coalition lacks a majority. García noted that other agreed measures include extending rental contracts until 2028, tightening regulations on short-term and room rentals, and prohibiting purchase of housing by investment firms.
“It is time to intervene in the speculative housing market and start striking a balance between ordinary citizens and vulture funds,” García said. She acknowledged the impact of the protests, stating, “Without you, this would not have been possible.”
Nogueras, spokesperson for the pro-Catalan independence party Junts, emphasised the need to differentiate between large investment funds and those who have invested their savings in properties, saying it was wrong to categorise them together.
The minority government, consisting of the ruling Socialists and their junior partners Sumar, has 30 days from the decree’s publication to secure a parliamentary agreement. Socialist Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez is expected to provide further details on the measures at a news conference later today.
