Franciscan Order Evicts Pensioner from Madrid Apartment Despite Vow of Poverty
67-year-old pensioner Mariano Ordás was evicted from his apartment in the Madrid district of Embajadores after the fifth court order was executed. Neighbors were unable to stop the process, as they had done previously.
From early morning, the area was cordoned off by national police, which raised eyebrows among representatives of the Madrid Tenants' Union, who noted that the number of officers was excessive for the eviction of one person.
Ordás now plans to spend a few weeks in a homeless shelter, as he has no other housing options.
Order with a Vow of Poverty and Over 300 Apartments
The owner of the apartment is the Honorable Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi (VOT), which, according to critics, manages its property more like an investment fund than a religious congregation. The order owns over 300 apartments in central Madrid.
Residents report issues with the condition of the apartments and common areas that require repairs. After the pandemic, Ordás lost his job and could not cope with the rising rent, leading to his eviction.
Read this article in full and everything else in Telegram, ad-free
Open in TelegramThanks, I just want to finish reading here
The order explains the eviction as necessary for repairs, but the Tenants' Union argues that this is a result of years of neglect by the owners.
No Moratorium and Open Path to Evictions
Ordás's situation reflects the political context: the moratorium on evictions was lifted on February 26, which, according to the Union, opens the door to a wave of evictions of vulnerable families across the country.
A demonstration is scheduled for May 24 in Madrid, demanding lower housing prices.
Madrid: The Hottest Housing Market in Spain
Ordás's eviction is not an isolated case but a symptom of a broken market. For 44 consecutive months, rents in Madrid have risen by 33%, displacing more families. The housing market continues to grow despite economic recovery, exacerbating the situation for many Spaniards.
