A family with five children, including a child with Down syndrome, was evicted from their Madrid home. The UN had urged authorities to halt the process. Local protests and political criticism followed the judicial decision.
A family of seven, including three minors and a child with Down syndrome, was evicted on Wednesday from their home in Moratalaz, Madrid, despite a direct appeal from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to suspend the process. The property, owned by the Agencia de Vivienda Social de la Comunidad de Madrid, had been occupied by Dulce, Herminio, and their children for five years without an official lease, following unsuccessful attempts to secure public housing or a social rent contract.
The eviction, carried out on the second attempt after a previous postponement, drew immediate protests from neighborhood associations and social organizations. Demonstrators gathered early in the El Ruedo housing complex, where the family lived, expressing frustration and anger at the outcome. The UN committee had warned that removing the family without a suitable alternative could cause “irreparable harm” to the children, but the judicial order was ultimately enforced.
Municipal sources stated that social services had offered the family temporary accommodation, which was declined. According to the Sindicato de Inquilinas, the options presented included a single room in a shared house or a place in a shelter—both considered inadequate for the family’s needs, especially given the presence of a child with special requirements. The Agencia de Vivienda Social did not provide what the union described as a “quality” alternative, and the Ayuntamiento reported that the family had indicated they had other relatives who could help.
The eviction was attended by Sira Rego, Minister of Youth and Children, highlighting the political sensitivity of the case. Miguel Ángel García Martín, regional government spokesperson, defended the authorities’ actions, emphasizing that the judicial decision was binding and that efforts to coordinate support for the family were ongoing. He criticized the minister’s presence as opportunistic, reflecting broader tensions over housing policy in Madrid.
Political reactions were swift. Pilar Sánchez, a Más Madrid councilor, described the eviction as a stark example of the region’s harsh social and housing policies. She accused the Agencia de Vivienda Social of being the “largest evictor” in the area and criticized the sale of public land to private funds, which she argued leaves vulnerable families without options. The protest slogan “Dulce se queda” (“Dulce stays”) became a rallying point for those opposing the eviction.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of housing insecurity in Madrid, where social housing shortages and strict eligibility criteria often leave families in precarious situations. The city has seen similar disputes in recent years, such as the legal battle over the eviction of an elderly tenant in La Latina, which was temporarily halted by a court decision. For context, a related incident was reported when Madrid authorities considered appealing a court’s suspension of an eviction involving an 81-year-old resident, highlighting ongoing tensions between judicial rulings and social policy.
Spain’s housing crisis remains a contentious issue, with rising rents and limited public housing stock affecting thousands of families. The situation in Moratalaz underscores the challenges faced by those who fall outside official support systems, particularly large families and those with special needs. While authorities maintain that emergency accommodation is available, critics argue that temporary solutions do not address the underlying problem of long-term housing stability. The debate continues as policymakers, social organizations, and affected residents seek more sustainable answers to Madrid’s housing challenges.
