Author: Leah Pattem / Photos: Dani Piedrabuena
When Alejandro was told he would have to leave the home where he hoped to spend his final years, neighbours in La Latina rallied around him – and in the process gave birth to a new community movement called AV La Chispera (The Sparkies).
Those who have met Alejandro over the years talk a lot about his passion and his faith, and how much he loves his barrio. At 81, there is one more fight he is determined to win: to stay in his home, and he has joined forces with a new force in the barrio. Over the past few weeks, Alejandro has worked closely with the brand-new neighbourhood association Asociación Vecinal La Chispera, in La Latina, whose members have pushed his campaign so hard that his story has now been covered by El País, La Sexta, El Diario, El Salto, Europa Press, TeleMadrid, Madrid Diario and more – in just the last two weeks.
Alejandro Ibáñez has called La Latina home for decades and currently resides in the San Francisco apartments, one of the few remaining public assisted-living buildings for independent elderly people in Madrid. Just two years ago, over 60 people lived in the building but now, only four remain, and Alejandro is among the most vocal.
“I’m 81 years old and I’ve lived here for 15 years,” he explains in a powerful video recorded by members of AV La Chispera, which was also later published in El País. “I received a letter telling me I have five days to appeal or leave my home. Under the pretext that the building is collapsing, they want to demolish it to do who-knows-what. [But] this is my home, until the day I die, as stated in the contract.” Despite Alejandro’s firm stance, Almeida’s right-wing government is pushing forwards with a court ruling that residents be relocated, but Alejandro doesn’t want to leave and sees no reason to.
The growing AV La Chispera neighbourhood association, founded May 2025, has been supporting the four remaining residents and is questioning whether it is necessary to empty the entire building to carry out the proposed works. The group includes architects, lawyers, journalists and experienced activists – a combination that has already made the group a formidable force in the neighbourhood. Through their own investigation into the building, they believe they have uncovered signs that raise doubts about the council’s eviction order and their future plans for the land.
Instead, AV La Chispera is calling for an immediate halt to any eviction and for guarantees that the 57 residents who have already left the apartments will be allowed to return. The residents’ association also insists that the building remain a public facility providing assisted-living apartments for the elderly and that any renovation works be carried out in phases so the residents who still live there can remain in their homes. Dani Piedrabuena, the president of AV La Chispera explains, “The work could easily be carried out in stages while letting residents continue living in part of the building. But even though four tenants have decided to stay, the authorities are still requesting a court order to enter the premises.” A decision from the court is still pending.
But it is not simply that residents do not want to leave their homes – many simply cannot. The alternative accommodation offered to them for the rest of their lives is not even in the city of Madrid and would cost significantly more than they are currently paying. At present, residents pay between 10% and 15% of their pensions for their municipal apartments, but the proposed new accommodation could require more than 80% of their pensions.
This may be one of Alejandro’s final battles, but with the backing of AV La Chispera, a neighbourhood association born with fire in its belly, this fight has already become something much larger than one man’s struggle. “For the Chisperas, this is only the beginning of our stand for the future of La Latina,” says Dani, “and for a neighbourhood that belongs to the people who live here.”
SUPPORT THIS PLATFORM FROM €1 PER MONTH
You may have noticed that I don’t run ads, nor accept sponsors or investors. Independence is everything and what I decide to publish will not be influenced by those in a position of capital, privilege or power. Therefore, I invite only you to support this platform and only you to help me keep doing what I do. Thank you, Leah.
Support MNF for as little as €1 per month, which you can cancel at any time.
Leave a Comment