Paquita, 82 years old and with Parkinson's, hours away from eviction to put up tourist flats: It's not fair that I get fired to earn more

Paquita, an 82-year-old woman with Parkinson’s disease, faces eviction this Wednesday at 10:30 AM from her home in Madrid’s La Latina neighborhood, just hours before she was set to be displaced to make way for tourist apartments. She has been living in the house for 28 years with her 47-year-old son, who works as a transporter. Despite having monthly income of 3,000 euros, Paquita says she is being forced out because the property owners want to increase rent. “It’s not fair that they throw me out to make more money,” she told reporters. The property, located on Calle Santa Ana, is one of many in the area that have been converted into short-term rental units. The building, once commercial spaces, now hosts several tourist flats. Paquita’s case has drawn support from the tenants' union and the local neighborhood association, Chispera, which have organized a protest against the eviction. They argue that the notice given, just weeks ahead of the move, is insufficient, especially considering the difficulty of finding affordable housing in the city. Paquita has continued paying over 1,000 euros in rent despite the court ruling that ordered her removal. Her lawyer advised her to keep making payments until an official eviction order was issued. However, the situation changed when the company behind the property, Tolesanta SL, agreed to accept the payments directly. This, Paquita claims, meant the company did not intend to evict her. But recently, a new court order was issued demanding her departure. Tolesanta, owned by Alexander Couret, operates around a dozen tourist apartments on Calle Toledo, number 77. These properties were previously closed by a judge due to noise complaints and disturbances affecting nearby residents. The firm had to pay 34,000 euros in compensation to affected neighbors. Just days after the closure, the court issued another order targeting Paquita. In 2024, the company reported revenue of 1.4 million euros. Inside Paquita’s home, time seems to stand still. The walls are lined with memorabilia, including a small collection of Real Madrid trophies and a replica of Don Quixote. The lack of air conditioning makes the space uncomfortable, particularly for someone of her age. Maintenance by the property owners has been minimal, as evidenced by a crooked blind and dark mold spots on the ceiling of the hallway and bathroom. Paquita has paid for repairs herself, while the owners have done little to address these issues. For Paquita, the home represents more than just shelter, it is a place filled with memories. She arrived in the La Latina district at age 15 with her mother, who worked as a gatekeeper. Over the decades, she lived in several homes within the neighborhood before settling into this one. “This is our home all our lives. My mother and my husband died here. It’s very hard. Tell them I’ll pay more if needed, but don’t kick us out after a lifetime of living here. There’s no right to this,” she said, nearly breaking down in tears. Her stance against speculation is clear: “If someone wants to earn more money, let them go to a hotel. Leave the housing to those who need it.”