Spain's eviction decree faces vote after Madrid case

An 87-year-old woman’s eviction in Madrid, Spain, puts a new housing decree under pressure: MPs vote on Friday on measures intended to prevent more evictions. On Wednesday, 30 September, housing minister Isabel Rodríguez urges the Congress of Deputies to back the decree, which the Spanish cabinet approved on Tuesday. Maricarmen left her home on a stretcher, an image that has become central to the debate.

Maricarmen’s case sharpens the debate

MP Etna Estremos Fayos accuses the government of acting only after large protests and recent evictions, including Maricarmen’s. She welcomes the proposed suspension of evictions for vulnerable people but says the decree will not fix the underlying housing problem.

Rodríguez calls it an emergency measure to help people facing eviction. She acknowledges that Spain still has much more to do on housing and asks parliamentary groups to support the decree on Friday.

Rent tax relief and homes in Catalonia

The decree also includes income tax deductions for rent. Rodríguez says she expects most working people to be able to benefit.

For Catalonia, she says 13,000 Sareb homes and 300 plots will be made available when the homes are fit to hand over. Around 400 homes undergoing work should be ready for rental before the end of the year. She says plots have already been assigned so the Catalan government can build public housing.

The vote is the immediate hurdle. Rodríguez says the next challenge, if the measures pass, is greater investment in housing.

Topics: Housing · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com