Thousands of people in Madrid marched to demand affordable housing and reasonable rents in a protest organized by around 40 neighborhood and tenant associations. The housing crisis in Madrid was at the forefront of the protest, with demonstrators carrying banners and chanting slogans like “Lower prices” and “Renters guilty, government responsible.” The protest was led by the Sindicato de Inquilinas and various organizations, with spokesperson Valeria Racu warning landlords and real estate firms of a possible rent strike if prices continue to rise.
Protesters directed their anger not only at landlords but also at government officials, demanding the resignation of Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez for her alleged 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 impact on tenants was highlighted, with more than 50% of the salary of workers in the region going towards housing, severely affecting their quality of life. Many young people in Madrid are struggling with low wages and high rents, some spending up to 50% of their income on housing.
The protest also criticized vulture funds for evicting long-time residents without offering alternatives, pointing to specific buildings owned by these funds as threats to affordable housing. This rally in Madrid is part of a larger movement, with similar protests planned in cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga. Organizers, such as the Platform for the Right to Housing, have been working to unite communities in the fight for affordable housing at a grassroots level.
Despite the introduction of a State Housing Law and other measures, protesters argue that these initiatives are insufficient 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 demands of the protesters reflect a growing frustration with the housing crisis in Madrid and other Spanish cities, where many residents are struggling to afford decent housing. The call for housing as a right, not a business, resonates with the sentiment of many who feel marginalized by the current housing market.
