Thousands of people marched through Madrid this Sunday, February 9th, demanding the regional government take urgent steps to tackle the city’s worsening housing crisis. Protesters called for stricter rules to control rising rents, more affordable housing, and an end to policies they say favor big investors and landlords over ordinary residents.

The demonstration, organized by over 30 social groups under the platform Hábitat 24, started at Atocha and ended at Puerta del Sol, where a list of demands was read out. This was the second major protest in just four months, showing how frustrated people are with the lack of affordable housing and the growing number of evictions.

A Crisis Hitting Hard

Many protesters shared stories of being priced out of their neighborhoods, with rents and mortgages eating up most of their income. They accused the government of ignoring the problem and letting investors drive up housing costs.

Key demands included enforcing the state Housing Law, which would cap rental prices, and building more public and social housing. Protesters also pushed for a regional housing law to protect tenants and create more affordable options, as well as designating certain areas as ‘strained zones’ where local authorities could step in to control prices.

Hoy, mucha dignidad tomando las calles de @MADRID Muchas familias, muchas Inquilinas, muchas compañeras.
Dijimos que el #9FTomamosLaCalle
Y lo hemos hecho…
Van dos.
Volveremos, claro que sí, y será muy pronto. #Habitat24
Juntas podemos. pic.twitter.com/PwHcLnyqIh

— Coordinadora de Vivienda de Madrid (@AlertaDesahucio) February 9, 2025

Tourist Rentals and Investors Under Scrutiny

A big focus of the protest was the rise of tourist apartments and the role of investment funds buying up properties. Demonstrators said these practices are making it harder for locals to find homes, as buildings are turned into short-term rentals or luxury housing.

To address this, they called for a ban on new licenses for tourist apartments and the closure of illegal ones. They also demanded stricter penalties for rule-breakers and a five-year plan to improve existing housing, including making homes more energy-efficient.

A Diverse Crowd with a Shared Goal

The protest brought together people of all ages, from families to young adults struggling to move out on their own and older residents worried about losing their neighborhoods. Many were angry about local businesses closing down as shops are replaced by tourist rentals.

Chants like ‘No more evictions,’ ‘Housing is a right,’ and ‘Stop speculation’ filled the streets, while drumbeats and speeches kept the energy high. The message was clear: people are fed up and want change.

No Plans to Back Down

Organizers vowed to keep protesting until the government takes real action. They said they won’t stop until housing becomes more affordable and no one is forced out of their home without somewhere else to go.

As Madrid’s housing crisis continues to grow, the pressure on leaders to act is building. For now, the protesters have one clear message: housing is a basic right, and it’s time for the government to step up.

What do you think about the housing crisis in Madrid? Have you or someone you know been affected by rising rents or evictions? Share your thoughts in the comments below..