Cabildo promises 1,261 public homes to ease Tenerife housing emergency
The President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, has announced plans to deliver 1,261 public homes during the current political term, in an effort to ease Tenerife’s worsening housing shortage.
Speaking on Friday at an extraordinary council meeting requested by the Socialist Party (PSOE), Dávila said the lack of affordable housing on the island has reached emergency levels. She stressed that solving the problem requires fast and coordinated action from all public authorities.
According to Dávila, access to decent affordable housing is urgent and affects residents across the island. She said public bodies must work together to increase the supply of accessible homes as quickly as possible.
The Cabildo president also criticised the previous PSOE-led administration, claiming that no public housing was delivered during its four years in power, either by the island council or the Canary Islands Government at the time.
She contrasted this with the current administration’s record, saying housing investment has risen to more than €60 million in just two years, compared with €5.4 million under the previous government. This funding, she said, supports the forecasted delivery of 1,261 homes.
Dávila explained that the homes will come from a mix of measures, including buying completed or nearly completed developments, building on public land, and working with the Canary Islands Housing Institute (ICAVI) and local councils. She added that this approach helps cut red tape and speed up construction. Nearly 200 homes, she said, have already been awarded.
The Cabildo’s second vice-president, José Miguel Ruano, said the council also needs a clear plan for managing public land. He confirmed that the public company Gestur has been asked to prepare a report on land available for public housing, with special focus on south Tenerife, where demand is highest.
From the opposition, PSOE spokesperson Aarón Afonso called for the creation of a public island housing company to buy land, build homes and manage public housing. He also warned that Tenerife is receiving fewer regional housing projects than islands such as Gran Canaria.
Island vice-president Lope Afonso of the People’s Party (PP) defended the current coalition government, saying it is taking a practical, island-wide approach to housing. He highlighted that 24 of Tenerife’s 31 municipalities are already involved in public housing measures.
Meanwhile, councillor Ana Salazar (Vox) welcomed progress but warned that many of the homes announced may not be ready until after the current term ends. She criticised slow bureaucracy and delays, saying residents are less concerned about politics and more focused on whether they can actually find somewhere to live.
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