Residents Iris and Juan José of block 8 in Chasna, located on the Costa del Silencio, were handed a copy of DIARIO de AVISOS while standing in one of the corners of the old abandoned building. Sheets with messages like “the soaring rent is suffocating us” and “the street is not a suitable living place” hang around them. Upon entering the makeshift abode of Eloy, an unemployed bricklayer suffering from work-related injuries, they sat on a worn-out sofa and revealed their plight. They are living under the shadow of an eviction notice issued by the Court of First Instance No. 3 of Arona, giving them until Tuesday at 09:30 to vacate the premises due to “possession of the property” and safety concerns arising from structural issues in the building.
Juan José, aged 54 and an unemployed butcher, recollects his initial days in Chasna when he found himself homeless after his rental agreement was terminated, recounting tearful nights as he grappled with the harsh reality of being on the streets. He now finds it financially unfeasible to consider renting a new place.
On the other hand, 27-year-old Iris, a mother to a six-year-old girl, is facing her second eviction on Tuesday. She has previously worked as a waitress in the hospitality sector, while her unemployed partner took up a job as a kitchen assistant. Living with them is Iris’s grandmother. Her face reflects a mix of sorrow, bewilderment, and resignation as she sorts through her belongings, keeping track of the looming eviction deadline.
Divorced 47-year-old Eloy sought solace in block 8 of Chasna with his pet dogs. Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned, “I sought refuge here and eventually got accustomed to it, but always exploring other options, as we are just temporary occupants.” He declared their intention to engage in peaceful resistance until the end when the police arrive on Tuesday, although he noted that fear has driven some of the 200 residents to vacate the premises. Nevertheless, he asserted, “We will document everything.”
Eloy, Juan José, and Iris, together with 66 registered individuals in Chasna, question why necessary measures to reinforce the building’s structure have not been taken, as is customary globally. They are perplexed as to why the structural concerns pose a threat only to a section of the L-shaped residences in block 8, and not the entire block, which comprises residential homes as well. They also ponder over the sudden interest in the building, after 55 years, amid the peak of the holiday housing market, attributing this to the property’s prime location next to Montaña Amarilla and “a stone’s throw away from the sea.”
Despite their efforts to enhance their living conditions by clearing debris and installing security measures like anti-squatter doors, solar panels, water tanks, and batteries, ensuring no unauthorized access to utilities, they are disheartened by the unrealized dream of creating an ecological garden.
Expressing surprise at the absence of any inspection to address the structural issues and the lack of involvement from the social services of Arona City Council days before eviction, they are left questioning the authorities’ response.
In response to these events, Councilor Ruth Martín informed the newspaper that the City Council had reached out to the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo, and the Canarian Housing Institute. However, given the severe housing crisis on the island, the response received was that no immediate action could be taken as the situation had escalated.
Martín highlighted the typical procedure where the court requests reports from the City Council prior to an eviction to evaluate the families’ circumstances. In cases of vulnerability, the procedure is usually halted for several months to allow for alternative housing solutions. However, in this instance, owing to the peril posed by the building’s structural issues, the launch proceeded without delay.
As the fateful Tuesday approaches, Iris hopes for accommodation in a relative’s home, although she frets over the accommodation arrangements for everyone. Meanwhile, Juan José and Eloy foresee spending the night on the beach or perhaps in a tent, bidding farewell with a shared sentiment: “We are facing eviction, but we demand to be treated as equals,” Juan José concluded.
