Housing insecurity and evictions of vulnerable elderly

Reports highlight the challenges faced by elderly individuals with disabilities facing eviction due to mortgage debts and bank auctions.

In Seville, a 75-year-old widow with a 38% disability rating faces imminent eviction from a home she purchased 44 years ago. Her legal counsel noted that despite a previous suspension of the eviction in December, the courts have not considered her vulnerable status. The situation has caused her to postpone necessary surgery due to fear of homelessness.

In Thessaloniki, the eviction of Parthena Charalampidou, a 92-year-old woman with an 87% disability rating, has been temporarily suspended. Charalampidou, a mother of six, has lived in her home since 1960, though the property was transferred to the National Bank of Greece following an auction in 2021.

The eviction attempt triggered mobilization from local residents, labor unions, and the Thessaloniki Tenants Union. Following these protests, legal representatives for the family negotiated with the bank and the bailiff's office to halt the process until the legal status of the property is adjudicated. The family is currently pursuing a legal claim of acquisitive prescription, also known as usucaption, regarding the property. A court date for this case is set for November 2027, though the family continues to seek a permanent stay of eviction.