• Spain's government plans to ban evictions until 2030 following public protests.
• Measures include automatic tenant contract renewals and stricter rules for speculative buying.
• The protests were sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, symbolizing broader housing concerns.
• New housing policies could potentially affect over five million people in Spain.
• Lawmakers will have 30 days to finalize and pass the proposed measures through parliament.

The Spanish coalition government has unveiled a series of housing measures aimed at addressing the ongoing housing crisis, particularly following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen Abascal from her apartment in Madrid. This significant move includes a strong proposal to ban evictions until 2030, according to BBC and Le Monde.

Health Minister Mónica García announced that these measures will provide relief to more than five million individuals facing housing insecurity, highlighting the measures such as the automatic renewal of rental agreements and restrictions on the purchase of properties by investment funds termed as “vulture funds” to counter speculative practices. "It is time to intervene in the speculative housing market," García stated during the announcement, as reported by India Times and BBC.

The violations leading to widespread protests have placed housing policies at the forefront of political discourse. The protests began after the dramatic eviction of Abascal, who was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her home, which she had occupied for 70 years, igniting national anger and demonstrations around 100 tents in Madrid's Puerta del Sol. "Thanks to the mobilizations and the camps. Without you, this would not have been possible," a coalition minister mentioned, according to Le Monde and India Times.

The urgency of passing these measures is critical, as the minority government, led by the Socialists in coalition with Sumar, lacks a majority in parliament. They have a 30-day window to move these policies through parliamentary approval. The government plans an extraordinary session focused on housing issues soon, reflecting the immediate political need to address public outcry for housing reform, as discussed by India Times.

Following her eviction, a deal was struck to allow Abascal to return home, limiting her rent to only €500 per month, a significant decrease from the previous hikes initiated by the property management. Despite this resolution, tenant advocates caution that further actions are necessary to address the larger housing crisis, stating that changes must reflect broader protections for tenants. Activists have vowed to persist with protests if the government does not deliver on all its promises, according to BBC and Le Monde.