Drama around evictions continues to unfold despite a government moratorium meant to shield vulnerable families during the pandemic. Courts in the province still issue removals, and in many cases no social measures mandated by the decree are clearly cited at hearings. Social reports, when required, depend on overwhelmed social services, long waiting lists, and a lack of available social housing. As a result, families facing eviction are left without a safety net that the decree promised, and the system often falls short of providing timely alternatives.
Last year, Alicante’s judicial district saw an average of about two eviction orders issued daily, tallying more than 700 sentences across the period. Roughly a quarter of these were due to non-payment of rent, with about a fourth stemming from mortgage issues. Sources consulted by this publication indicated that illegal occupancies were relatively rare, though occasional cases involved vacant bank-owned properties or properties held by investment funds with aggressive practices.
Private residents continue to feel the pinch. In the same week, an Alicante court paused an eviction for the second time. Josefina lives in a rental home with her two children, one of whom uses a wheelchair, in the Angels neighborhood. She described how job loss and delays in rent payments during the pandemic led her to seek a solution she could not yet secure. “I know this isn’t my home,” she told this publication. When the contract term ended, the eviction process began. The halt came twice, first when Josefina and her vulnerable situation were presented to the court, and again when the attorney indicated the vulnerability status had not been resolved. “I want to pay, but I need an alternative because I can’t afford current prices,” she said. The attorney noted that until the vulnerability assessment is completed, the court cannot proceed.
case drip
This eviction surge coincided with another incident that left a 73-year-old man injured after authorities moved to clear the area for the judicial process. Local officials and observers described the scene as chaotic and risky. In the same week, a woman released from Alicante City Council housing moved into a hostel with her husband and two daughters, but they may end up on the street again as the company cannot sustain the rent. The looming question remains: where will these families go when relief isn’t available?
Image caption: A photograph from the week shows the man released under these tense conditions. This incident has drawn attention to the ongoing eviction pressures in Alicante. The report cites Pilar Cortés as the photographer.
“There is a narrative that evictions are being paralyzed, but the truth is there is a steady drip of removals, including those involving properties owned by investment funds and by private owners,” a representative from the Carolinas Barrier Association stated. The group has helped slow some evictions through citizen mobilizations in recent months. Waiting lists for social renting remain long, and local residents voice concern that market rents push families toward precarity. Observers note that rents have surged in recent times, contributing to the affordability crisis, with current averages hovering around 1,400 euros per month in the area.
The eviction moratorium is set to extend through December 2024, and it remains in effect for tenants who can demonstrate social exclusion. “The process is not automatic; it requires court proof of need, and the landlord must show the circumstances justify the intervention,” explained José Vicente Puchol, a member of the Alicante Civil Law section and a specialist in horizontal property. The hearing schedule indicated that social services had not yet finalized the vulnerability report, delaying the case further.
Image caption: A photograph from Alicante this week shows seven people affected by eviction actions, captioned with credit to Pilar Cortés.
Judicial authorities report a marginal decline in eviction activity for 2023, yet Alicante Province still leads the Valencian Community in eviction numbers. While there has been a reduction in eviction rates this year, estimates place the decrease around 16.4 percent, with roughly 300 orders issued each quarter. Pilar Fuentes, president of the local College of Lawyers, noted that the individuals most visible at street level during eviction proceedings report seeing fewer removals, though the underlying demand remains high.
Vulnerability reports
When a vulnerability is identified during release proceedings and the court does not immediately rule, the eviction is typically paused and handed to a judge for assessment. If a clear vulnerability justification exists and the magistrate affirms it, the eviction proceeds. Critics point to delays in social reports, with many cases not receiving documentation promptly. Municipal social services acknowledge being overwhelmed by demand, a situation that worsens waiting times for assessments and supports. Some observers suggest that in other cities with fewer cases, resources are also more constrained, creating a regional imbalance.
Another challenge is the insufficient stock of social housing. The public administration has not kept pace with demand, and the timeline for new housing could stretch to several years. Citizens have lodged numerous complaints about the lack of affordable options. Ombudsman offices have expressed concern that while needs are recognized, homes remain scarce. In many eviction cases, the protocol requires mediation to seek a non-judicial settlement, but tenants sometimes must prove they are not major tenants to trigger the appropriate processes. The overarching aim remains to balance tenants’ rights with the realities of limited public resources, allowing families to remain in their homes when possible.
Note: This report draws on official records and local testimonies to illustrate ongoing eviction dynamics in Alicante and the surrounding Valencian Community. Citations reflect observations from judicial sources and social services, with attribution to local authorities and advocacy groups as noted in the text.