Sareb Executes Mass Eviction in Vallecas, Sparking Outrage

In a move that is intensifying the ongoing debate about housing affordability and social responsibility, Sareb, the state-backed asset management company, is currently facing heavy criticism after evicting seven families from their homes in Vallecas, Madrid. According to Jacobo García (2025), writing for El País, the evictions took place on El Yesero street, leaving residents and housing activists denouncing the action as «immoral» given Sareb’s original mandate to become a key provider of social housing.

The scene unfolding in Vallecas is reflecting a broader struggle for many families in Madrid, where affordable housing is becoming increasingly scarce. As García (2025) described, several police vans and court officials were present, and the area was cordoned off. According to El País (2025), the eviction is occurring amidst protests from neighbors, who are using megaphones to voice their opposition.

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A Promise Unfulfilled?

Critics are pointing to promises made by the government to transform Sareb into a major provider of public housing. Instead, they are arguing that Sareb is accelerating the sale of its properties, often to investment funds, exacerbating the housing crisis. Diego Sanz from PAH Vallecas, a local anti-eviction platform, is suggesting that Sareb is prioritizing profits over people, contributing to a cycle of displacement and instability within the community (García, 2025).

«Pedro Sánchez, who promised to make Sareb the largest public housing park, is thus accelerating the sale of its best housing park while continuing with its policy of relocating people in uninhabitable houses, located outside urban centers and with illegal rents,» the PAH of Vallecas denounced.

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Residents' Stories: Caught in the Crossfire

The human cost of these evictions is evident in the stories of those affected. Alejandro, a resident of El Yesero, recounted how he was barred from returning to his home. His sister and nieces, living nearby, were also facing eviction after paying 500 euros a month in rent for five years (García, 2025). Carlos, another resident with over a decade in his home, found himself on the street with his belongings.

Alejandro stated that «It has not been possible to negotiate. Sareb does not answer the phone and the atmosphere in the building has become unbearable... We have not left the houses before because until the last moment we hoped that Sareb would negotiate a rent, but they have not wanted to with us because of the campaign that other neighbors have done against us.»

The Neighborhood Divide

Underlying the evictions is a complex web of neighborhood disputes. Sareb owned 27 properties in the Vallecas building, and the evicted families were not squatters but renters who had been paying rent until the original real estate company went bankrupt, leaving them in a legal limbo. While Sareb reached agreements with some residents for social rents, these seven families, primarily of Colombian and Venezuelan origin, did not qualify (García, 2025).

One neighbor, Carmen, cited noise complaints and accusations of disruptive behavior as reasons for the conflict. However, Alejandro countered that it was a case of «simply, classism,» arguing that their presence was devaluing other residents' properties.

Sareb's Defense: A Matter of Protocol

Sareb is defending its actions by citing its established protocol, which includes multiple visits and attempts to engage with affected families before proceeding with evictions. The company stated that social rental programs are available for vulnerable individuals or those exploited by unscrupulous landlords, provided they cooperate and provide the necessary documentation (García, 2025).

According to Sareb, «For the judge to allow the launch, either there is no accredited vulnerability, or there is no collaboration.»

However, critics argue that the term «collaboration» is vague and that Sareb lacks transparency regarding the number of properties it controls. Celia Otero, a protester, is suggesting that Sareb is using questionable tactics to pressure residents into leaving so that the properties can be sold, especially given Sareb's mandate to manage and liquidate distressed assets to repay its debt (García, 2025).

Looking Ahead: The Future of Affordable Housing

The events in Vallecas are highlighting the urgent need for solutions to Spain's housing crisis. The clash between Sareb's financial obligations and its potential role in providing affordable housing is raising fundamental questions about the purpose of public entities and their impact on vulnerable communities. As the debate continues, the evicted families are left to navigate an uncertain future, underscoring the human consequences of policy decisions.

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