'Quite sad': Renters turn to lottery in Spain's housing crisis

'Quite sad': Renters turn to lottery in Spain's housing crisis
The application from Sergio Encinas (left) and Lorena Pacheco was among only 64 that succeeded in getting a social-housing unit in Madrid. (Image: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP)
Agence France-Presse
By Wafaa EssalhiLorena Pacheco has hit the jackpot – she won the right in a municipal lottery to rent a two-bedroom apartment and parking spot in one of Madrid's few social housing estates.Like a growing number of Spaniards, the 30-year-old auxiliary nurse and her partner, Sergio Encinas, have found themselves priced out of the real estate market as rents have soared due to insufficient supply.For the past two years, the couple searched in vain for a place where they could afford to move in together. In the meantime they have been for...

More World

Trump saved TikTok – and wrecked the rule of law
Technology

Trump saved TikTok – and wrecked the rule of law

TikTok users will be happy, but this is another blow to the rule of law.

How social media creates flabby young brains
Technology

How social media creates flabby young brains

The ‘Gen Z stare’ is a symptom of widespread overconsumption of electronic entertainment.

Trump to slap new tariffs on pharma
Markets

Trump to slap new tariffs on pharma

Levies on drugs will be imposed on companies that aren’t building plants in the US.

Startups and survival: Israel’s next test
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Startups and survival: Israel’s next test

NZ startups could leverage Israeli know-how without the baggage of geopolitics.

Peter Griffin 24 Sep 2025