The Madrid Tenants’ Union calls to mobilize on November 16 in front of the Archbishopric headquarters, in protest against the sale of 13 properties at a price much lower than market value and due to the opacity of the process.
The organizers accuse the Madrid Church of acting with total lack of transparency and of selling off social heritage property at a price far below market value. According to estimates from neighbors and real estate experts, the properties —originating from donations intended for housing orphans and vulnerable families— could collectively exceed 200 million euros, while the deal would have been closed around 99 million.
Various media outlets, such as El País and El Confidencial, have pointed out that the Fusara foundation reactivated this year an operation already attempted in 2019, when the Justice system halted the sale due to possible irregularities. The tenants, who mostly maintain affordable rental contracts, fear that the transaction will facilitate their eviction and transform the buildings into tourist or luxury housing.
The Tenants’ Union also denounces the opacity of the Fusara board of trustees, composed solely of ecclesiastical representatives, and demands that the Archbishopric account for the destination of the funds and the legality of the operation. In their manifesto, the groups demand the immediate halt of the sale until the valuations, the foundational purposes of the properties, and the possible conflicts of interest surrounding the operation are clarified.
The November 16 gathering, under the slogan “Gathering against speculation”, will take place from 11:00 to 13:00 in front of the Archbishopric. The organizers expect massive attendance from neighbors and social movements, in a new episode of the housing conflict that pits hundreds of Madrid families against an ecclesiastical foundation accused of speculating with assets intended for social work.
The Archdiocese of Madrid, for its part, has not offered public explanations about the operation, limiting itself to stating that everything has been done in accordance with current regulations. However, tenants’ associations and housing platforms assure that they will continue to pressure through judicial and media channels to prevent the sale from being consolidated.