Despite temporary halts to their eviction on June 26 and July 15, this past Wednesday, Zohra, Mustafa, and their eight-year-old son were evicted from their home in the Lavapiés district of Madrid. This eviction occurred even though they met legal vulnerability requirements intended to suspend such actions. They have been informed that they will temporarily stay in social housing in the Vallecas neighborhood, a process they initially applied for back in 2018.
While Zohra finds some comfort in leaving a home that had adversely affected both her and her son’s health due to unsanitary conditions, they are uncertain about how long they will be allowed to stay in the social housing provided. “Maybe three days, or a week, and then you’re back on the street,” they remarked outside their former residence.
The Madrid Tenants’ Union has been tirelessly working to prevent their eviction. They even intervened by threatening the life of an activist, stating that if the police forcibly entered the home, “an activist would fall from a height of 12 meters.” This activist was suspended in the building’s courtyard, connected to a mechanism that would cause them to fall if the police attempted to enter. However, after the situation was publicized on social media, firefighters arrived to safely rescue the activist, who was later detained. According to sources from the Union, it was a neighbor who had been harassing Zohra that facilitated the police and firefighters’ entry.
The Union has voiced their concerns that the judge responsible for the case chose not to apply the suspension provisions outlined in the recent Royal Decree, which extends protections against evictions for vulnerable individuals until May 15, 2028. The magistrate determined that Zohra did not adequately prove that her landlord owned 27 properties. Yet, the Union asserts that they provided documentation showing the landlord owns an entire block of apartments in Lavapiés and other properties.
The organization also highlighted the family’s living conditions, claiming that their home was infested with bedbugs and cockroaches, had severe structural issues, and suffered from moisture damage. Zohra requested social housing in a decent apartment, asserting that if the landlord failed to fulfill their obligations, she too should not have to pay rent.
These dire living conditions have taken a toll on both Zohra and her son, who had to attend summer camp to help normalize their situation and shield him from the more difficult aspects of this process. Both suffer from respiratory issues that have lasted nearly two years. The Union emphasizes that the landlord has the financial means to make necessary repairs but opts not to do so.
Zohra’s situation exemplifies a common issue, as explained by Víctor Palomo, a representative of the Union. It is a case of a large property owner versus a vulnerable family facing eviction, which has been documented in vulnerability reports. Zohra and her family survive on a pension and a small amount from Spain’s minimum income guarantee. With rental prices reaching 1,400 euros monthly, requiring stable employment contracts, it is a daunting challenge for Zohra given her economic and health circumstances.
Social services have also failed to provide her with alternative housing despite her requests over the past year, leaving her with no response from authorities. The Union insists that Zohra’s case is not unique, emphasizing that many judges are increasingly disregarding the Royal Decree meant to protect vulnerable individuals, making questionable decisions favoring rent-seeking interests.
For more information about advocacy for housing rights, you can visit Housing Rights Action.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/2024/07/24/un-activista-se-cuelga-para-frenar-el-desahucio-de-zohra-si-la-policia-entra-por-la-fuerza-caera-al-vacio-desde-una-altura-de-12-metros/
