MADRID – Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Madrid on Sunday to demand more affordable housing, expressing growing frustration over skyrocketing rents and inadequate living conditions. Chanting under the slogan “Housing is a right, not a business,” demonstrators called for government action to address the housing crisis affecting cities across Spain.
According to government estimates, around 12,000 people participated in the march. Many expressed concern that they were being priced out of their own cities as rent prices continue to soar.
“Spaniards cannot live in their own cities. They are forcing us out. The government has to regulate prices, regulate housing,” said Blanca Prieto, a 33-year-old nurse at the protest.
The demonstrations come as Spain struggles to balance its booming tourism industry with the housing needs of its residents. In July, the government announced measures to crack down on short-term and holiday lettings, a move seen as an attempt to address concerns over gentrification and the shift of properties into tourist rentals, which has driven rents higher in popular cities.
In a related protest in Barcelona, demonstrators criticized the America’s Cup yachting race, blaming the international event for further pushing up rental prices and attracting more tourists to an already overcrowded city. Similar protests have also taken place in other tourist-heavy regions, such as the Canary Islands and Malaga, where seasonal workers are facing extreme difficulties in finding affordable housing.
The issue has become particularly pressing for those working in the hospitality sector, with many resorting to sleeping in caravans or cars due to the shortage of available accommodations. The wave of protests highlights the mounting pressure on the government to regulate rental prices and protect residents from being displaced by the growing tourist demand for short-term accommodations.