Brittany, 29, faced homelessness after her relationship ended and youth housing options failed. Through De Regenboog Groep’s Onder de Pannen project, she was matched with Debby Goossens, 56, who offered her a 40-square-meter attic in Amstelveen for one year. Brittany describes the match as a miracle that prevented her from ending up on the street, while Debby, a Christian dating coach, shares her home under specific house rules.
Housing provider Vesteda is attempting to prevent a mass redemption that threatened earlier this year by making a new effort to modify its bond terms. The company faced significant pressure when investors demanded their investments back from the housing fund at the start of the year.
Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman who had lived in her Madrid apartment since 1956, was forcibly evicted after property company Urbagestión won a court case declaring her lease transfer invalid. Despite protests involving hundreds of people and offers to cover rent increases, she was removed on a stretcher following police intervention with tear gas. The eviction highlights Spain’s housing crisis, where rents have surged significantly, leading to thousands of evictions nationwide this year.
María del Carmen Abascal had lived in her flat on Sainz de Baranda Street since 1956. Madrid’s Tenants' Union and the UN had opposed the decision to evict her.
Spanish police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the eviction of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman who had lived in her Madrid apartment for over seventy years. The eviction followed a court ruling that allowed an investment fund, which purchased the property in 2018, to enforce a rent increase from 500 to 1,650 euros monthly, which Maricarmen could not afford with her pension. Social workers transported the weakened woman in a wheelchair to an ambulance, where she was examined at a hospital. Her lawyer described the police action as disproportionate, while Housing Minister Rodríguez criticized the move as a symptom of unchecked speculation. Demonstrators, including celebrities and tenant union activists, highlighted the contrast between Maricarmen's plight and the controversial purchase of a luxury penthouse for Isabel Ayuso, president of the Madrid region.
From Brussels and Strasbourg to the heart of Athens, overlooking the Acropolis: "The Ring" travels to the Greek capital for a political showdown centred on migration, the housing crisis, and the arrest warrant issued against Benjamin Netanyahu.
87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was forcibly evicted from her Madrid home after 71 years following a legal dispute with investment fund Urbagestión, which raised rent to an unaffordable level citing a technicality in her inheritance contract. The eviction involved riot police using tear gas and pepper spray against protesters, sparking outrage and symbolizing Spain's housing crisis, while demonstrators criticized regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso amidst calls for justice.
The Dutch government, the province, and grid operator Enexis are implementing a crisis plan to prevent power outages in nine critical areas of North Brabant where the electricity network is under severe strain. Staatssecretaris Jo-Annes de Bat stated that immediate regional measures are required to maintain reliability, citing similar issues in Utrecht. The strategy involves smarter use of existing capacity through agreements for reduced consumption during peak times, alongside batteries and gas generators, rather than relying solely on slow infrastructure expansion. Approximately 55,000 planned homes in East Brabant face connection delays due to grid saturation. The initial twelve-month collaboration focuses on Eindhoven Noord, Eindhoven West, Etten-Leur, Helmond Zuid, Oss, Den Bosch Noord, Tilburg Noord, and two parts of Uden, selected because Enexis identifies them as having the highest risk to the electrical network.
Homeowners seeking to insulate their properties can often receive municipal support, but the level of assistance varies considerably depending on the location. Some municipalities are more generous than others, and the specific conditions attached to these subsidies also differ substantially across regions.
Hans Remmerswaal, president of the tenants' association at Valeriusplein, criticizes new owner Rubens Capital for leaving the condominium association's fund empty while delaying maintenance. Despite owning approximately four billion euros in managed assets, the company faces accusations of pushing repair costs onto future buyers and current owners. Remmerswaal alleges that the owner intends to sell apartments quickly to shift financial burdens to the association, citing an upcoming meeting where the fund is already in deficit. Legal experts note that while regulations require maintenance planning, enforcement remains weak, prompting calls for new legislation to prevent such practices.
Residents of Schoonegge in Rotterdam-Zuidwijk are concerned about the deteriorating condition of their sidewalk, where uneven and sunken tiles pose safety risks. Neighbor Hans Mulder reported that a woman broke her wrist after falling, describing the hazard as dangerous for elderly residents and those using mobility aids. Although multiple complaints have been filed with the municipality, large-scale repairs are not scheduled until 2027 due to complex root issues and contractor availability. The city acknowledges the problem but states that temporary fixes are insufficient given the scale of damage caused by tree roots.
Approximately forty residents carried a symbolic coffin containing Amsterdam-North through Amsterdam’s metro and city center on Wednesday to protest structural neglect and lack of investment. Resident Eva Bollen stated that the community has reached its limit regarding the district's marginalization.
Violent protests erupted in Madrid after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home of 71 years because she could not pay the increased rent. A real estate investment firm raised the monthly rent from 500 euros to 1,650 euros, exceeding her 1,350-euro pension. Demonstrators gathered outside her apartment, shouting slogans and requiring police intervention with tear gas. The incident highlights Spain's housing crisis and political tensions, with protesters demanding that Madrid regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso’s luxury penthouse be given to Abascal instead.
The municipal council of Rijnsaterwoude unanimously advised revoking an environmental permit for converting a former hotel into ten apartments, citing insufficient evidence that parking demand would decrease and concerns over outdoor space quality. Although the college granted the permit in November 2025 and renovations began immediately, with some residents already living there, the council found the parking calculations unconvincing given the narrow Herenweg road. Mayor Astrid Heijstee stated the initiator must return to the drawing table to discuss an adjusted plan with the municipality.
Singer Emma Heesters has been trying to sell her penthouse in Amsterdam for over a year without success, according to the celebrity real estate website Bekende Buren.
Over three million Dutch households with solar panels will face higher energy bills next year due to the end of net metering. Households in Limburg and Overijssel are most affected, with average annual costs rising by approximately 350 euros according to price comparator Independer.
The Dutch police received an average of 600 daily reports regarding disturbances caused by disturbed persons in August, up from 500 the previous year. Causes include a tight housing market and societal changes, prompting the government to develop new plans to reduce the burden on police resources.
Euronews Business examines how homeownership rates among younger Europeans have changed compared with previous generations, and what is driving the shift.
Many homeowners associations in the Netherlands have insufficient funds reserved for both building maintenance and sustainability improvements. To address this financial gap, the National Heat Fund is now providing low-interest loans specifically designed to enable these communities to combine necessary repairs with energy-efficient upgrades.
As winter approaches, homeowners are considering insulation to reduce energy costs, with Piet Eichholtz noting it can cut gas usage by 20 percent. While DIY methods save money, professional installation is often safer to avoid moisture issues. Material choices range from recyclable mineral wools to fossil-based foams and renewable options like straw, with Milieu Centraal advising against sheep wool due to its environmental impact unless sourced sustainably.
