An 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her home of 71 years last week is set to return following widespread protests over her case.
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María del Carmen Abascal lives in Madrid, Spain, in the Retiro neighborhood. After authorities forcibly evicted her on Wednesday, September 23, protests erupted across the city and drew wider attention throughout the country.
Local reports claim that investment fund Urbagestión acquired the apartment building in 2018 before significantly increasing Abascal's rent.
Woman Evicted From Home in Spain After 71 Years
The elderly woman initially paid around 500 euros per month in rent, the equivalent of approximately $572.
The amount reportedly increased to as much as 2,650 euros ($3,014) before later dropping to 1,650 euros, around $1,877.
However, with Abascal receiving a monthly pension of 1,350 euros, she still could not afford to remain in the property.
Courts blocked three previous attempts to evict the 87-year-old, but in March, the Supreme Court ruled against her, overturning a January 2022 decision in her favor.
After several postponements, the eviction went ahead on Wednesday. Abascal reportedly received just 30 minutes to pack her essential belongings before leaving the home.
Around 1,000 people subsequently protested the situation at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, a major public square in the city center. Protesters have also established hundreds of tents there amid wider anger over Spain's housing crisis.
Thousands Protest as New Rental Agreement Emerges
Reports claim that as many as 10,000 people protested in Abascal's neighborhood following her eviction, with demonstrators chanting "Shame on you".
Her lawyer, Beatriz Duro, subsequently stepped in as negotiations continued over Abascal's future.
On Monday, September 28, Duro told reporters at a press conference that there had been "goodwill from both parties," with progress being made.
Under a new agreement, Abascal would pay a similar amount to her original rent, equivalent to 30% of her income, for eight years.
Abascal still needs to approve the agreement herself after she was unable to attend the meeting.
She entered the hospital following her eviction and received treatment for exhaustion. Reports indicate that she will sign the agreement once she feels well enough.
"Hopefully this will help change the housing paradigm and this right will begin to be regulated," Duro said.
Local authorities previously claimed that Abascal rejected alternative accommodation before her eviction, including a place in a residential facility.
She reportedly continued to reject that option, saying she would rather move in with relatives.
