Spain’s housing crisis sees homelessness rise as tourism booms • FRANCE 24 English

Carmen Cajamarca has been renting a flat in the same Madrid building for 25 years. But now, the building’s owner has decided to turn the apartments into holiday rentals and Carmen and her neighbours have been told they have to leave. They are among a growing number of Spaniards who are finding themselves being priced out of the rental market amid a boom in short-term rentals on platforms such as Airbnb that, combined with a lack of social housing, has seen some forced to live on the streets.
#Spain #airbnb #housing
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[@user-nc2qj2jc5q]

Ban Airbnb owners and Hedge Funds from buying up units.

[@DeuDeoEgo]

Are you mad!?? I own an Airbnb, it's my property. We are NOT the problem.

[@cristianfernandezrodriguez9077]

Its clearly the problem, one of them, its a problem in several countries and everyone is complaining about it.

[@shauncameron8390]

The consequences of bureaucracy and rent control bearing fruit.

[@Mansikkacake]

dont they have rent stabilization law in Spain? like few % rent raise per year.

[@dens3096]

Property owners have a right to do with their property whatever they want! You should blame your government who misuses the funds and nor build more government funded housing!

[@mosmae]

Homes are for locals. Tourist should stay only in hotels Ban airbnb

[@DeuDeoEgo]

@@mosmae how dare you saying they should ban Airbnb when it gives work to so many people? It's absurd.

[@mosmae]

@DeuDeoEgo Airbnb should not be allowed to function where residents don't have place to stay. A person is born in a place. They should have first right to live there. If there is space remaining after all residents have been housed then airbnb can do business renting out accommodation to tourists .

[@MotherAotearoa]

Totally agree with you 👍 Properties should be for owners or renters to establish a home; hotels are for tourists... 5 years ago, me and my husband bought an apartment (Wellington, New Zealand) with a great view, to establish a home; we will never use it for AirBnb. And when I travel back home (Guatemala), I stayed in hotels. That's how it should be; that's how the economy-social balance should be.

[@dens3096]

@@MotherAotearoaBecause hotels in Guatemala are cheap!

[@DeuDeoEgo]

@@alf72632 which is exactly what you are: Airbnb owners pay taxes, guests / customers prefer Airbnb to hotels whoever claims the contrary don't know what they are talking about. Plus we pay for cleaners, pool cleaners, professional laundry services, gardeners and general maintenance! Which means that we are sharing our profits with the community. People who go against Airbnb are only mad cos they don't own one.

[@BeYourselfMan]

Same thing happened in Portugal. The government does absolutley nothing to fix the problem. Disgusting.

[@josepha.r5839]

I was going to mention Portugal. Tourism and digital workers seem to have boomed. As well, housing/property speculation by Europeans and North Americans.

[@newbiekhyber]

Because countries like Spain, Greece, and Portugal have nothing but tourism. They will not survive without tourists. Tourism is a crutch that does not let countries stand on their own feet.

[@AYORoot]

It's happening in many countries.

[@mateusborges7633]

When your people invaded the Americas could the natives ban you?

[@manu111967]

@@mateusborges7633when was that , you seem to know your history

[@u2fkeys665]

same thing is happening in the US hedge funds are buying everything and renting them out in inflated prices

[@GorgieClarissa]

i got priced out of my apartment for the exact same thing!

[@g-forcepcrepair4347]

Rent gouging needs to stop,

[@cronoz7]

Ban AirBnB for the entire country!

[@Miguel-ly4bm]

Ban the illegals😅

[@mattilahde5220]

I go to Spain every year. 1. Don't go in the summer. The spring is lovely there.😊 2. Take a hotel. Never Air b&b

[@special1740]

This is insane, citizens of the country, who paid taxes for generations, cannot afford homes in their native countries.

[@orirosengarten2572]

Karma

[@sojournbythomsevilla]

Blame your corrupt government not tourists

[@RELENTLESS305-s3k]

Exactly

[@normanoman7098]

Yup siesta pa more

[@GorgieClarissa]

people are!

[@freespiritable]

The tourists make everything expensive. I was fine in my corner in Albania but bow it's a tourist destination, prices skyrocketed

[@taniacarrera7406]

Are you familiar with the concept of gentrification??

[@laboheme125]

This isn't a problem that should be placed on tourists, people will always travel. This is a problem that governments need to address Regulations on mass tourism & Airbnbs need to addressed.

[@henrypham-learngermantoget1011]

That's to be solved. Air BNb and short term housing should be limited. The same here in Vietnam. More foreigners are coming and prices of property and renting go up quick. Foreigners are paid with high salary much more than the average person, while still enjoing more benefits, sometimes houses paid by company or state

[@lolalola2592]

You do have a choice with consequences. Stay in a hotel

[@laboheme125]

​​@@lolalola2592go ahead and tell that to every traveler and see how quickly that solves the problem.

[@CarlH08]

And this is why i dont stay in airbnbs anymore.

[@jameskemp8287]

Same. That and how many times the owners of airbnbs have been caught putting cameras in every room. It's insane and disgusting and Airbnb openly said when they find out they don't report it to the police. They are criminals helping other criminals

[@heekyungkim8147]

Ban airbnb. This is unfair for locals.

[@Brent-ox8lk]

So then take care of the AirBnB problem. Don't get rid of tourism all together. Jesus, that's just common sense.

[@anouaralahyane7954]

Tourists make everything cost . housing. food . Transports. I live in a touristic destination here in Morocco our life was simple and affordable but since it became well known for tourists it became difficult for us as locals to survive

[@MissShaypril]

Tourists do not. Your own countrymen do, because they can. It’s called capitalism aka greed.

[@josepha.r5839]

@@MissShaypril True. But government (and the Kind in particular) have the muscle to do something about it.

[@shauncameron8390]

@@MissShaypril Better than socialism a.k.a. envy, covetousness and entitlement.

[@MissShaypril]

@@shauncameron8390then don’t cry about capitalism lmao

[@MissShaypril]

@@josepha.r5839exactly lol but when your neighbor participates in this sort of capitalism, you also have them to blame 😊 tourists are the consumers of what’s already in place.

[@lobos342]

No, its everywhere. Even in places that have no tourism.

[@QWERTY-hl6wm]

bc people move to such places for a cheaper living, it’s no brainer

[@lobos342]

@@QWERTY-hl6wm Really? Thank you for stating the obvious, Captain. Yet, homelessness is happening globally. You really can't blame tourism.

[@robaire.b]

Same has happened here in Wales. Young people are leaving as they can no longer afford homes or find anywhere to rent. Also in Cornwall and Devon where the situation is dire and homes/accommodation are unobtainable for most people. Tourism in Britain’s West Country and Lake District is a scourge and has destroyed communities and the local economy and has a very negative environmental impact with enormous numbers of vehicles and disturbance

[@ranijhansijhansi4044]

I like to visit Cornwall this year . Can you recommend affordable stay . Me and daughter.

[@denniszenanywhere]

What I don't understand is why it will take a few more years to get rid of Airbnb there? In New York, it didn't take too long.

[@MachineGunPepe]

Clearly Airbnb and short term rentals are the issues not tourism.

[@sophiaerling7714]

A tourist spends on average 60 Euros for housing and 60 Euros for food and activities PER DAY. How many locals spend 120 Euros per day? And there are enough people willing to travel and visit to have that everyday. Hotels would not be able to absorb the flow.

[@kria9119]

Same thing happens in Croatia. But I don't blame tourists - if they could only stay in hotels, they would. Hence, government is responsible for banning AirBnB and similar stupidities

[@sophiaerling7714]

A tourist spends on average 60 Euros for housing and 60 Euros for food and activities PER DAY. How many locals spend 120 Euros per day? And there are enough people willing to travel and visit to have that everyday. Hotels would not be able to absorb the flow.

[@conweez]

This is absolutely heartbreaking. Local residents are what makes these cities feel authentic. When there are more tourists in a neighborhood, town or city than there are local residents, it makes the area feel more like Disneyland than an authentic place. That’s how I felt about Montmartre during a visit in 2012 and Granada in 2022. Granada was so inundated with multitudes of people, that it was actually uncomfortable to visit historic places and difficult to even find an empty seat at a restaurant. I love Spain and i look forward to visiting it again. I just hope the tourist sector can be more sustainable and not undermine the lifestyle of local residents.

[@sophiaerling7714]

As a tourist, you are part of the problem; In Granada, you were one of the 30.000 people visiting or staying there that day. You want the place to look authentic with only locals when YOU go there? Like if you were the only tourist? Why would you get such an exclusivity? It makes me think about the lady complaining during covid that this was very dangerous as there were so many people at the same spot...where she was too...

[@maryj4876]

I know an actress from the Philippines bought apartment in Spain, as she can afford bcoz of her income and fix her status to become a resident of Spain even if she's based in Manila. Now i understand the sentiments of these local people. It's just right to protest and protect your house and community. ☹️

[@gio7799]

When Airbnb started, it was more like sharing an apartment with the owner, now it's buying an apartment and rent it for a short term, it's really different.

[@90taetaeya]

ban Airbnb now

[@Breizh29200]

It is Time to forbid air b n b in Europe!😢

[@carolinethomas6562]

Governments must legislate and protect the civil rights of their citizens.

[@giftoflife365]

Similar lack of centers of excellence in policy - a negative supply of prioritized housing policy & implementation for those in urgent need, and late, non-priorized and non-forecasted financial models, for affordable & urgent housing solutions - this is happening all over the world.

[@boofuu3145]

in 2022 spain had 720,000 net migration , its unsustainable , same thing all over europe

[@elmobolan4274]

This is why i have never stayed at an airbnb only hotels. I won't support it....

[@mariadejesusabigail]

Same thing will happen in mexico. Last year I was asked to leave my apartment because it was going to be rented as AIRBNB...pretty soon Mexican will be homeless as well

[@pavelromanenko3718]

The problem I see aren't tourists, but Airbnb and the Short-term vacation rental industry. Ban that platform as housing is for residents not for a commercial business venture.

[@bombasticlove76]

Start early with diversified investments in stocks, bonds, and real estate. Maximize contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. Regularly review and adjust your strategy to ensure security

[@katiekilbo]

Very possible! especially at this moment. Profits can be made in many different ways, but such intricate transactions should only be handled by seasoned market professionals.

[@MianHussnain-tu1wi]

Some persons think inves'tin is all about buying stocks; I think going into the stock market without a good experience is a big risk, that's why I'm lucky to have seen someone like mr Brian C Nelson.

[@quantarrow]

Finding yourself a good broker is as same as finding a good wife, which you go less stress, you get just enough with so much little effort at things

[@IshrakHossain-rt8is]

Brian demonstrates an excellent understanding of market trends, making well informed decisions that leads to consistent profit

[@amytuttle1621]

I'm surprised that you just mentioned and recommend Mr Brian Nelson. I met him at a conference in 2018 and we have been working together ever since.

[@g-forcepcrepair4347]

Rent gouging needs to stop. This is happening all over the world

[@KevinDixon]

Don't rent AirBNB

[@joeyjoey22]

It’s very easy to reduce tourism. Make it so that tourists need a permit to enter, or put taxes on foreign owned property. It’s not hard, rather it’s that European governments DON’T want to do that, because the country relies on those investments and spending. They’ll rather have a problem with homeless or people being displaced than any less money circulating in the economy.

[@JB-ej4ch]

That’s why I never stayed in the Airbnb!!!!!!!!! Never!!!

[@Jungletraveler00_12]

Imagine being a tourist sleeping in an apartment that used to be somebody's home but the only reason you're in that apartment is because they make more money out of your and other tourists' short stays!

[@buy.to.let.britain]

imagine if that same flat was in the hands of a local property speculator. oh it is....

[@mosmae]

Very sad...specially for old people

[@queva3062]

Only last week, just at the corner where I live, two sisters of 54 and 64 yo, committed suicide bcs they were served eviction notice by the owner - for not paying three year rent😢​@@mosmae

[@MissShaypril]

I know, it’s sad citizens do this to other citizens and then tourists are begrudged for it by… citizens! It should be stopped, but how? 🙄

[@mosmae]

@MissShaypril responsible capitalism. There are acres on this earth far prettier and capital can be deployed to those places to make them easy to visit for tourists.

[@NomadicJulien]

blame the government, not the landlord nor the tourist.

[@eddycarpenter8989]

It’s the greedy landlords

[@FromTheBiggining]

Yeah, you are human being and not a animal, but the owner gotta do what's best for HIM. Welcome to reality 😢. BTW, i am also a renter and understand the owners.

[@user-wl5ke5xn5f]

Govt making a killing in tax revenue. Use that money and build houses/apartments for residents.

[@cristiangaban960]

Blame the government, tourists , but it's Spanish landlords that are doing this for a profit.

[@queva3062]

The govt's fault

[@shauncameron8390]

[@cristiangaban960]

@@shauncameron8390 Rightfully or not, you can't expect tourists to care if landlords don't care.

[@martaotita]

The government is the one that should make sure the people have housing and it is in fault here. The landlords are just following the current laws and state of things.

[@Nebularnoodle]

What source did you use to relate tourism and homelessness? A recent study from the university of Valencia showed that airbnb only contributed to a 2% price increase in cities like Barcelona.

[@simonscowled9925]

#1: Outlaw Airbnb totally, there shouldn't be 48,000 locals on the waiting list for social housing.

[@jakesabatini9290]

Spain is really only one country out of the many that have seen widespread suffering as a result of tourism making life significantly worse for residents as a result of gentrification. I mean in much of the Pacific and Caribbean, people are denied access to beaches and fishing just so coastlines can cater to tourists. Spain is just one part of a rising anti-tourism resistance movement that spans everywhere from Mexico to Hawaii to Thailand especially as climate collapse worsens people’s living conditions.

[@jakesabatini9290]

And yes much of the blame should go to their respective governments and extractive tourism companies, but it should also go to the many tourists who choose to give their money to these same extractive companies and landlords.

[@gecentroqualifica2473]

Portugal is the same, to the point that people are less and less nice and welcoming of tourists. It is really bad.

[@Sundayvibe5]

I hope this does not happen to the Philippines

[@robaire.b]

Same has happened here in Wales. Young people are leaving as they can no longer afford homes or find anywhere to rent. Also in Cornwall and Devon where the situation is dire and homes/accommodation are unobtainable for most people

[@mex5341]

deben prohibir Airbnb

[@blueamenaa749]

Same in france.😢

[@jlivb]

This is y’all people doing this to y’all. Blame them.

[@costernocht]

This is why I stay in hotels or hostels.

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Profits over people "DISGUSTING" 😡

[@photographedemode]

This has nothing to do with Tourists but rather a problem that the Government needs to intervene on. Almost all big cities in the world are subjected to this, and creating a lot of grief for locals. You get the same thing in the USA with big investment firms buying up real estate all over the place etc.

[@petenrita]

Stupid to blame tourists.

[@Jellybean0207]

It’s happening in California too but we never blame tourists because we know better. Reality is, it is corruption and greed in local government. Tourism bring revenue to help businesses, gives jobs, so you can afford rent! Barcelona will be POOR without it

[@gont183]

This should not be difficult for them to fix.

[@xhcmx808]

Finally, good news coverage on this topic. The problem lies with the govt. Laws need to be made to protect their citizens.

[@Kelly-mi1yz]

Well that’s because of their own people being greedy…. Don’t blame tourism! regulate it!!! And make your money too!

[@nuria.l-l-9827]

Don't get fooled by these stupid new. The problem is not tourism, the problem are squaters. It can take years for a court to get them out. So people prefer to rent to tourists, they pay and also have a ticket plane to go back home. Now you have the TRUTH

[@thelolguy007]

The blame is with your Government not the Tourists. The tourists bring their hard earned money to your country and contribute greatly €€€. You need to talk to your Government

[@rrickarr]

Why aren´t all those Brits who go to Spain and buy Spanish properties sharing Spanish "values"? The Brits are always screaming about foreigners sharing their values; it would be ice if Britain could do the same for others - notwithstanding what they did over 400 years of colonialism.

[@susanwestern6434]

Britain also has a massive housing crisis. Not helped by migrants coming here in their thousands and not contributing.

[@MtiuliBichi]

How many Spaniards were stabbed by the Brits ?

[@SAINTMAURICE-tl7kb]

​@@MtiuliBichi how many millions did the spanish stab in south america for centuries, in the name of the pedow🧔🏼‍♀️file....

[@MissShaypril]

Please, tell us more about colonialism.

[@josepha.r5839]

Bien dicho

[@richatlarge462]

How about no one ever gets to leave the town where they were born? Would that make everyone happy?

[@gecentroqualifica2473]

Yep. By the look of it, it wont be long to happen, with the rise of far right all over europe and political tensions.

[@QWERTY-hl6wm]

ban Airbnb quickly 😢😢😢

[@Lik3ToSing]

Tragedy

[@Rizzo2185]

Sounds like your government and hedge funds might be the issue

[@Monchis181-he3fy]

Same thing happening in Mexico.

[@giearomin2738]

Not the tourist's fault sad this happens in your country😢

[@faraboverubieskerry]

Shocking to see American capitalist greed in Europe. 😢 Doing the same thing to local citizens. In the US the middle class is being wiped out and forced to live in cars and on the streets

[@noxbox2099]

I hate seeing happy tourists in my city while they are struggling. In everyday life, I wonder where those people find money to travel.

[@edSabio572]

By paying attention in school and choosing a STEM career.

[@triquepersonalwork6369]

Everyone should be able to own a home if they are planning to live in a city long term. That takes care of the homelessness issue due to rent raises

[@VictoriaManolidou]

Some countries are worse, some better, but the situation is the same almost everywhere. People find no place to live and the few apartments left that aren't Rbnb are too expensive. I say ban rbnb, locals having a place to live comes first over the convenience of tourists. They should stay in hotels or hostels if they need to save costs.

[@lindamanuel9073]

Meanwhile in the UK "I can't wait to leave this dreadful ghastly weather, dearly, and move to España. Those Spanish blokes sure are living the good life." while in Spain, rents are increasing and many renters, mainly elders, and building owners are victims of Okupadas i.e. squatters.

[@mariadejesusabigail]

Mexico is getting there soon. I was asked to move out cause the owner was going to rent it to tourist through the AIRNB application. Renting an apartment in Mexico is getting extremely hard

[@tankman20064]

Buy a house ?

[@mmukolo_MBA]

😮😮😮,...in my opinion,... residents need to be given first priority,... needless to say,..they pay their dues(rent).

[@SVlas]

A persons property is his/hers to do what they want, we have to respect that! So,regulations should be put in place to control the number of properties any one individual or business may have to let. It is unfortunate that hardworking people are being thrown out onto the street to accommodate tourists., but it is not the tourists fault!

[@upstanding_citizen]

If the government was serious about capturing all the benefits of t tourism, they would invest heavily in building resorts and hotels and protect residential neighborhoods from AirBnB and build more social housing, but politicians only care about the short term gain

[@excusemyenglish16]

this is so sad

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Italy still has those abandoned houses in villages? Maybe find similar villages in Spain?

[@nerdspice6076]

Genuine question: it seems that places facing eviction and homelessness are having a lot of airbnbs instead of hotels… why not build more hotels? Is it an investor issue? Sorry if I sound dumb I really want to understand the problem. Thanks to anyone who will reply.

[@huumattham]

I am not an expert but I guess it's more than a regulation issue to build more hotels. To build more hotels, you have to pick a convenient location (obviously tourists don't want to stay too far from points of interest and transport). But unfortunately such locations are scarce in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbonne or Paris as they are very dense cities and those locations usually already have residential buildings

[@huumattham]

So if the hotels wanted to be built they had to replace a residential building which needs a lot of permission and it's almost impossible because regulations in such cities don't easily allow changing a residential building to a hotel

[@huumattham]

So if it's just an Airbnb, it's up to individual action from the owner of the flat, or the owner of the building to decide to withdraw their properties from the long term rental market for locals to short term touristic market

[@lemon1657]

I think all cities or towns should have a cap on the amount of tourists they can accommodate so no, don't build more hotels. Ban Airbnb and regulate hotel prices so they're fair and once the hotels are filled, the cap has been met. The rest will have to book elsewhere.

[@nerdspice6076]

@@huumattham thanks for all the info. That’s sad and complicated.

[@MrPchui]

easy fixed ban Airbnb unless owner living in same flat rent out spare room

[@mm7846]

SoCal?

[@biboydoce8924]

One of the reasons why they do not like tourists.

[@fiction5967]

You cant suggest this as a negative in Australia.

[@tiffanywitherspoon8722]

Why aren’t these testimonials dubbed?

[@sophiaerling7714]

The issue is not tourism or airbnb. People looking for housing could not afford those apartments anyway; either to rent it or buy it. People who rent out their apartment do that mainly to get extra revenue: most of them live there too most of the time. Only a few apartments are purposely bought to be used as short term rentals...because it is a lot of work and it has its risks too. It is unfair to point at property owners as the cause of lack of housing. If everybody was a bit wealthier, they would be able to pay their rent comfortably of to buy their own apartment or build their own house. But we have people getting more and more poor or poor migrants arriving by thousands every week that need housing too...

[@juliangomez5368]

Spanish law encourages squatters, and doesn’t properly regulate short term rentals. They want the benefits of tourism. But they don’t want the tourists. How arrogant. And how childish

[@ma-re2gn]

This happens all over the world, It's not Europe's problem. Tourism has no fault.Better to suggest solutions instead of creating another problem 😡😡😡

[@alexbr550]

The property owners can do what their want with their property, it is their property? No one tells you what to do with your house, car, clothes, shoes, etc. This should not be any different, if you had a business and you were better off renting short term rentals than long term rentals you would opt for the short term rentals and you know it. Stop acting like the justice league, when you know damn well you would follow the money.

[@Muabdibb]

Then pay taxes for your business hotel.

[@katarinap.8086]

Air bnb has destroyed the world

[@terribrad24]

I get the issue, but at 76% home ownership rate, Spaniards are at the higher end in Europe. When they become like Switzerland, Germany, Austria Denmark etc. Where no one can afford homes at all anymore, then they have a real problem. This problem here, is significantly smaller. Existant, but smaller.

[@MaxBadd]

All roads lead to GREED

[@jeffreyjackson5229]

The love of money is the root of all evil. Money is what it's ultimately about, isn't it?

[@selam1353]

BBC would report this as “ locals complaining even though the economy booming” If the people are struggling in their own country, who cares about the tourists?! The money goes to the rich anyway

[@adarika55]

Its not turusm. Its lots of people are coming to live in spain. And spanish law allows eu citizens to take loans from spanish banks to invest in real estate. Polish activelly buy now because of fear of russian polish war. And lack of bew construction.

[@name10books-]

Easy, tax them, then use the funds to build homes, etc.

[@CalmLavenderFields-ib6sg]

In Philippines you need Stay in hotel period

[@Ana_Maria_Cuesta]

Why is no one thinking of giving up traveling? They will buy AirBNB buildings and make more hotels, does everyone have to do the same like sheep? It is also a problem of digital nomads and fund speculation (closed apartments). We are in a predatory capitalism mode where everyone takes advantage of everyone.

[@MMHG674]

Tourism can be of great benefit to countries economically some countries survive mainly based on tourism it’s not being properly regulated by the government also you can’t just ban airbnb because it’s people’s way of earning an income it just needs to be regulated properly. Cancel culture is ridiculous there’s better solutions for everyone involved to benefit from the main issue is greed

[@JJ-zv1hp]

#LastWeekTonight hmm just like mobile home evictions...

[@user-tu4yi2ly1n]

Why are you blaming tourists? Tourism generates income for your community. Blame the businesses that take homes away from locals. We have a planned trip to Spain and Portugal (where we planned to stay at hotels), but going somewhere else SAFE 😤

[@marcioborgesreis9066]

Tourism is harming the community .

[@gegeigecg7706]

Ban airbnb

[@MyWay.Mr.Bond.]

Can’t the locals move to the suburbs? I love my Spain vacation. So cheap/

[@drioladega2607]

Excuse me?! Who are you to expect people to move from their neighborhoods so that you can enjoy your cheap vacation?

[@noahboat580]

People have been resenting AirBnB for these reasons. Just ban the company so their users wont buy/utilize your country's property as such