200 squatters ordered to leave building in Gran Canaria
Around 200 people are facing eviction from an occupied building and nearby shacks in Santa María de Guía, Gran Canaria, with no clear alternative housing currently in place.
The eviction is scheduled for 30th June and affects residents living in and around the so-called Casa de Mr. Leacock, a site that has been occupied for more than 15 years. Local authorities have called for urgent support from regional and national governments, warning that the situation exceeds the council’s capacity to manage alone.
Guía Town Hall says the case involves vulnerable people and families, including children, and requires coordinated action covering social care, public safety, health services and temporary accommodation. Estimates suggest around 200 people are living in the area, although only a small number are officially registered or receiving social support.
For many residents, the eviction raises immediate concerns about where they will go next. One father of three, who has lived there for several years, said he has gradually turned his shelter into a home and fears losing everything if the eviction goes ahead without a solution.
Residents say most people living there are long-term migrants who work locally and have built their lives in the north of Gran Canaria. Many insist they are there out of necessity, pointing to a lack of affordable housing and limited rental options on the island.
The site itself includes a deteriorating historic building linked to the island’s agricultural past, although its current condition reflects years of neglect and informal occupation. Parts of the settlement are described as stable family areas, while others are more temporary and less secure.
With the eviction date approaching, pressure is mounting on authorities to find a solution that avoids leaving families homeless. The situation highlights ongoing housing challenges across the Canary Islands.
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