The policy shift follows the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87 year old who lived in her Madrid apartment for over 70 years. Abascal was carried from her home on a stretcher after developer Urbagestión demanded a 275% rent increase, pushing costs to as much as €2,650 per month, which far exceeded her €1,350 disability pension. The event sparked protests by tens of thousands of people in cities including Barcelona before a legal agreement allowed Abascal to return to her residence without the rent hike.
