Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on 31 January outside Barcelona’s historic Casa Orsola apartment building to protest the eviction of long-term tenant Josep Torrent. The iconic structure, which has become a symbol of the city’s housing crisis, was purchased in 2021 by an investment fund. Since then, residents have reported that rental contracts have not been renewed, sparking speculation that the building will be transformed into luxury tourist apartments exempt from rent cap regulations.
Torrent, who has lived in the building for 23 years, faced eviction on 31 January after years of legal disputes. However, judicial authorities and Catalan police postponed the eviction, citing safety concerns due to the mass protests. A new eviction date has been set for 4 February, but activists have vowed to continue resisting attempts to remove Torrent from his home.
Barcelona’s housing crisis is part of a national issue affecting Spain, where rent prices have doubled over the last decade. The cost per square metre has surged from €7.2 in 2014 to €13 this year, according to real estate platform Idealista. Incomes, however, have failed to keep pace, particularly for young adults facing high unemployment rates.
A Bank of Spain report indicates that nearly 40% of renters in the country spend over 40% of their income on rent and utilities—well above the EU average of 27%. Short-term rentals, often aimed at tourists, have driven up prices further.
Barcelona’s town hall, in response to the crisis, has pledged to eliminate the city’s 10,000 tourist apartments by 2028 to ease the pressure on local residents. Despite these promises, locals continue to struggle as Spain ranks among the lowest in the OECD for public housing availability, with less than 2% of homes reserved for affordable rental accommodation.
