As Fuerteventura continues to attract investors, the island’s housing crisis has emerged as a pressing concern, prompting criticism from local political leaders.
The Popular Party of Fuerteventura has called attention to the perceived inaction of the Fuerteventura Cabildo regarding housing policies, contrasting it with proactive approaches taken by other island administrations. According to the party, the Cabildo seems content to merely collaborate with other entities rather than initiating its own plans.
“This behavior raises significant questions, especially given that the Fuerteventura Town Council owns multiple plots of land that could help address the island’s housing demands,” said representatives from the Majorero Popular Party. They noted the alarming 50% rise in rental prices since 2019, elevating housing as the primary concern for citizens. With the approval of Decree-Law 1/2024, which empowers local councils to act in housing matters, the Popular Party is baffled by the Cabildo’s lack of initiative compared to sister islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Claudio Gutiérrez, the spokesperson for the Popular Party within the Cabildo, stated, “This situation reflects not only a lack of initiative but also poor institutional coordination. To date, we still lack information on which municipalities have made land available for public housing.” He highlighted the need for the Cabildo to take a leadership role in this issue rather than deflect responsibility.
In contrast, the Cabildo of Tenerife has rolled out a housing plan since 2024 with three key components:
- Activa Suelo (-20): Aimed at municipalities with populations under 20,000 to facilitate land acquisition for public housing.
- Activa Housing 2024: A subsidy program for municipalities to acquire completed or underway housing developments designated for social rental.
- Insular Housing Rehabilitation Program (PIRV): Offers direct subsidies to enhance the habitability and accessibility of homes for low-income families.
Gran Canaria is addressing housing challenges through the Island Housing Consortium, which manages rehabilitation subsidies and promotes public housing initiatives.
In response to the current situation, the Popular Party is introducing the “Plan Vive Fuerteventura.” This plan proposes declaring a housing emergency on the island, thereby expediting administrative processes, and allocating land already owned by the Cabildo for public housing initiatives.
The ‘Plan Vive’ also presents various financing options, leveraging either the Cabildo’s resources or public-private partnerships, with the Cabildo establishing the framework for these projects.
To enhance this initiative, the Popular Party has engaged with official colleges and professional associations, inviting their input through collaborative meetings.
As Gutiérrez concluded, “The construction of social housing in Fuerteventura is not hindered by a lack of resources but rather by a lack of political will. Constructing public housing on the island is not only possible—it’s urgent.”
This ongoing dialogue about housing reflects the critical need for proactive measures and comprehensive strategies to meet Fuerteventura’s growing demands.
Image credit: diariodefuerteventura.com
Source: diariodefuerteventura.com.
Curated by Fuerteventura Times Real Estate Desk.
