From stopping evictions to dealing with funds: what the housing movement has achieved

A wave of new members joined the Tenants' Union in Madrid this Friday evening, driven by escalating housing insecurity and recent high-profile evictions. More than one hundred individuals gathered at La Maliciosa, a cultural space in the Arganzuela district near the Embajadores roundabout, for a weekly assembly. Attendees included young adults, older residents, immigrants, and Spanish nationals, many holding judicial notifications regarding their rental situations. The organization reported that its membership has surpassed 5,400 affiliates following a surge in sign-ups linked to increased media exposure and street protests. The meeting took place in the venue's largest room, known as the ateneo, which opened at 6:30 p.m. to accommodate the crowd. Outside, dozens of people waited, some discussing their reasons for attending. One pair noted that while the government appeared inactive, the union was taking action. Inside, six union members led the session, including Fernando, who explained that the group united by shared experiences with rental crises. The assembly serves to welcome newcomers and provide orientation on how the organization operates and offers assistance. Union sources indicated that attendance has grown progressively over recent weeks. The increase became exponential during periods of street protests, particularly after the eviction of Maricarmen, an incident that mobilized a generation affected by housing issues. While some attendees sought volunteer roles, the majority arrived facing specific rental conflicts. During the discussion, a member outlined the structural causes of these problems, stating that landlords seek to improve profitability at tenants' expense. This dynamic was described as intentional rather than accidental. The speaker also criticized political power for regulating the market in ways that fail to protect vulnerable populations. Fernado addressed the anxiety present among the new arrivals. He told the group that while they might have come feeling urgent fear, working through their cases would alleviate that dread. He assured them they would remain in their homes. He emphasized that few situations are truly urgent, noting that even if told to leave, immediate departure is not required. He identified possession of keys as a source of strength for tenants. Maricarmen, whose eviction sparked wider attention, had previously attended similar meetings. She sat in the same spot as current participants. Other leaders, including Beatriz, Oscar, Jorge, and Julia, recalled their own initial days in the organization. They highlighted that the union traces its existence back a decade. The leaders instructed newcomers to investigate their landlords, specifically checking if owners hold multiple properties or intend to occupy the units themselves. They introduced legal concepts such as the simple note, a document used to verify property ownership status. The union encourages members to visit its website to understand organizational structures. Most affiliates pay annual fees of 100 euros or monthly payments of 10 euros. For those in more precarious economic situations, reduced rates ranging from 20 to 50 euros per year are accepted. This local activity reflects broader national trends in tenant activism. Across Spain, citizens have mobilized for housing rights. Some groups defended camps against ultra-right factions. On October 12, individuals carrying Francoist flags appeared at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, aiming to ridicule protesters and provoke conflict. Other activists responded to television programs where misinformation questioned the trajectory of housing movements. Activist Alejandra Velasco countered a journalist's question about her absence for eight years by stating she had been stopping evictions. She retorted that the relevant question concerned the journalists' location during that time. Historical context shows that activists have engaged in protests, negotiations with owners, and eviction blockades since the 2008 financial crisis. These efforts aimed to counter investment funds entering the real estate market and the commercialization of housing. Social movements helped build support networks and placed access to decent housing at the center of public debate. As early as 2006, before the bubble burst, activists protested difficulties in accessing housing. The V de Vivienda movement advocated for youth struggling to become independent. In 2009, the Platform of People Affected by Mortgages emerged in Barcelona in response to rising evictions. Operating through assemblies without party affiliation, the platform politicized debt and eviction issues, which were previously viewed as individual failures. It participated in the 15M demonstrations, gathering many participants from the squares. With Ada Colau as spokesperson, the platform pressured local administrations to find housing alternatives for vulnerable families. While the mortgage-focused platform addressed crisis-era foreclosures, newer unions focused on the rental market and rent extraction. In 2017, following the mortgage crisis, the first modern tenant unions arose simultaneously in Barcelona and Madrid. This period saw large owners and investment funds finding new profit opportunities. Rising costs pushed vulnerable households out of urban centers. Activists analyzed the discourse used by major real estate actors to justify price increases. These unions contributed to making class antagonism between owners and tenants visible. The movement continues to negotiate with funds and halt evictions, maintaining pressure on institutions to address housing conditions.