An evicted elderly disabled woman, who has become symbolic of the housing crisis in Spain will be returning to her home in Madrid, according to her lawyer.
87 years old Maricarmen Abascal, was forcibly evicted on a stretcher from her apartment of more than 70 years on 23 September. She was taken to hospital after the eviction.
Her eviction has generated widespread anger across Spain, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised housing relief measures when his cabinet meets on Tuesday.
The lawyer of Abascal, Beatriz Duro, told a press conference there had been “goodwill from both parties” and that she would pay a similar amount of rent under a new contract, averting a significant price hike.
Duro had met the investment company Urbagestión, which owns the apartment, for several hours on Monday, and the agreement they reached still has to be approved by Maricarmen Abascal, as she was unable to take part in the meeting.
She added that Abascal, who is being treated for exhaustion, would sign the deal when she felt better.
Up to 1,000 protesters welcomed the agreement at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where hundreds of tents have been set up. However, the city’s Tenants’ Union has called on the government to approve deeper housing reforms “so that there are no more Maricarmens”.
Abascal’s father first rented the property in 1956 and she continued as the tenant after her parents died, during which time there was a cap on the rent.
Urbagestión, which bought the property in 2018, increased the rent from €500 per month (£428; $572) to €2,650 (£2,280; $3,020).
The company later offered to reduce this to €1,650 however she was still unable to pay this with her monthly pension of €1,350.
Three previous attempts to evict her were blocked by the courts.
Her case triggered nationwide protests and tens of thousands of people to march through the Spanish capital on Saturday to object to the eviction and to demand stronger protection for tenants in the face of a housing shortage and soaring rents.
