Over 90 families living in the Chasna building in the Coast of Silence area of Arona will be compelled to vacate the premises that they have called home for the past eight years without any alternative accommodation. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, law enforcement has sealed off the building, preparing for the imminent eviction to take place.
What prompted the evacuation order for the building in Costa del Silencio? The eviction directive issued by the Court of First Instance No. 3 of Arona was a result of the “structural issues of the construction, posing a risk of collapse,” as explained by Ruth Martín, the Social Services councillor of the Arona City Council, in an interview with the local newspaper last Friday.
What solutions are being explored for the displaced residents? The residents of the Chasna building are facing uncertainty regarding their housing situation. With the council stating that there are no available housing options due to the ongoing tourist season, the affected individuals express their frustration, questioning why no assistance or temporary shelter arrangements are being offered. Some have already begun vacating the building ahead of the police operation, seeking refuge with relatives to avoid being left homeless. A representative of the residents highlighted the dire situation where multiple individuals will have to share a single-room apartment, deeming it unsustainable and akin to a scene from Dante’s Inferno.
Why was there no request for reports from the City Council in this instance? Discontent among the affected individuals stems from the lack of procedural protocol typically followed in eviction cases, as outlined by Ruth Martín. In most cases, reports are requested from the City Council to assess the families’ circumstances and vulnerability, often resulting in a temporary halt to the eviction process. However, in this particular case, the standard procedure was bypassed due to existing urban planning documentation highlighting the building’s structural concerns.
Why did the residents resort to seeking intervention from the Constitutional Court? In light of their grievances and the municipality’s stance, the residents turned to the Constitutional Court for redress. Despite receiving an initial acknowledgement of their appeal’s processing, they remain in limbo awaiting further updates on their plea.
What prevents the affected individuals from affording rental accommodations? The spokesperson for the neighbourhood emphasises that they are not squatters but working individuals lacking the financial means to cover exorbitant rental costs. There is a call for systemic change as the housing market caters more towards foreign investors, leaving the most vulnerable members of society at risk of homelessness.
Why were they denied the option to register in the municipality? Many residents who had resided in the building for an extended period attempted to register en masse upon receiving the eviction notice. However, the registration process was blocked at the Council’s behest to prevent inaccurate data. Nonetheless, the option to register through social services remains open to them.
