Protesters blame 'vulture funds' for Spain's housing crisis
Protesters in Madrid are occupying public squares to demonstrate against a severe housing crisis. They blame investment firms and 'vulture funds' for driving up rents and reducing housing availability, a sentiment echoed by some government officials.
Why it matters
The crisis highlights the growing tension between private equity investment in real estate and the affordability of housing for local populations in major European cities.
Image caption, Jorge Moreno (left) says "vulture funds" are hiking up rents, while Pierina Nicuray points out that there is "a lack of homes" in Spain
Pierina Nicuray, a 21-year-old university graduate, has spent a week camped out in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square.
Like many of the hundreds of others who have pitched their tents here to protest at Spain's housing crisis , she has no doubts when it comes to diagnosing the cause.
"It's the same problem as always," she says. "A lack of homes."
She adds: "Landlords are taking advantage of the situation to raise rentals, and then there's also Airbnb."
Jorge Moreno, a 19-year-old film-dubbing student who has also been living in a tent here in central Madrid for the last few days, agrees.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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