The alarming increase in homelessness, particularly among people with jobs, is emerging as a pressing issue in Tenerife. Cáritas, a leading charitable organisation, has highlighted the growing prevalence of people living in vehicles, makeshift shelters, and even caves, particularly in the south of the island, due to the severe lack of affordable residential rental housing.
According to Cáritas’ report on Extreme Residential Exclusion in Tenerife, the number of women experiencing homelessness has risen sharply, now accounting for 27.6% of the homeless population in 2023, compared to 21.4% in 2020. This trend is especially concerning as women face increased risks of physical and sexual violence and often lack access to basic hygiene facilities.
Young people are also heavily affected, with 36.1% of homeless people being between 18 and 45 years old. Many of these are young migrants, particularly from Morocco and Senegal, who become homeless after aging out of youth care centres, but there is also a growing number of workers in the hospitality sector, particularly in the south of Tenerife, are also unable to secure housing despite having jobs.
The Southern Housing Crisis
Cáritas reports that many people move to the south of Tenerife for work, only to find that housing costs are prohibitively high. Rent increases, driven by tourism-focused rental models, have exacerbated the issue.
Granadilla de Abona, for instance, saw a staggering 40% hike in rental prices in 2023, one of the highest in Spain. The rise in holiday rental properties, which now account for 37% of tourist accommodations on the island, has further strained the housing market.
Southern municipalities such as Arona, Adeje, and Granadilla de Abona rank among the areas with the highest concentrations of poverty, with nearly half of the 2,308 homeless people assisted by Cáritas having been homeless for over a year.
Profile of the Homeless Population
The report notes that 1,319 of the homeless individuals assisted were Spanish nationals, while the rest included people from Morocco, Venezuela, Italy, Colombia, and Cuba. Contrary to common stereotypes, not all homeless individuals struggle with mental illness. Many are workers or families with incomes that are insufficient to secure stable housing.
Cáritas has criticised the lack of government action, citing decades of neglect in public housing policy since the 1990s. Tersi Castro, coordinator of Cáritas’ Housing and Inclusion Unit, emphasises that homelessness requires a comprehensive approach, addressing housing, employment, education, and legal status. She calls for greater collaboration between public institutions and non-profit organisations to tackle this multifaceted issue.
“People aren’t homeless by choice,” Castro states. “Structural barriers, such as insufficient income and increasing rents, leave them with no alternative. It’s not just about housing; it’s about ensuring these individuals have the means and opportunities to rebuild their lives.”
A Call to Address Systemic Issues
The report highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms, including investment in public housing and regulation of the rental market. As Cáritas continues its work on the ground, it calls for coordinated efforts from all sectors to address the root causes of homelessness and ensure a future where employment does not fail to guarantee shelter.
Tenerife's homelessness crisis is a stark reminder of the growing inequalities in a region celebrated for its tourism but struggling to ensure basic living conditions for its residents.
