A significant step was taken by the Governing Council of the Tenerife Island Corporation, with the approval of the initial subsidy package for municipal projects under the Active Housing Island Plan. This amounts to a total of 4,455 million euros, securing 78 new homes across six municipalities. The announcement was made by Rosa Dávila, President of the Cabildo, accompanied by Vice President Lope Afonso.
The distribution includes 23 homes in San Miguel de Abona, funded by 970,649 euros from the Cabildo and an additional 1.5 million from the local council. La Guancha will benefit from five homes with a total island contribution of 530,000 euros, while Arico will receive support for three homes amounting to 354,977 euros. Buenavista del Norte will see the construction of 15 homes, fully financed by the Island Corporation. El Tanque will receive funding for six homes, with a total of 600,000 euros, and Santa Úrsula will have 26 new homes, funded by 1 million euros from the Cabildo along with 1.1 million from the council.
Lope Afonso explained that these homes are either completed or in progress, not yet available on the market. They have been identified by the municipalities as suitable for immediate residential use. The allocation process will be managed by the municipalities to ensure the properties are rented out under a social housing scheme.
The Vice President highlighted that out of the 300 applications received, over 200 homes will be made available this year using the allocated budget. There is a possibility of additional homes being added by the year-end, bringing the total to 300 as envisioned in the plan for 2024.
Additionally, the Governing Council also approved the criteria and application process for direct subsidies to organisations providing essential items, with a total funding of 1.8 million euros.
In terms of sustainability, a contract worth 600,000 euros was awarded for the development of the clean point at the Tenerife Environmental Complex in Arico, funded by Next Generation resources.
Approval was granted for a collaboration agreement between the Cabildo and Los Silos City Council to enhance the tourist office in the area with an investment of 78,280 euros.
Furthermore, the tender for a Big Data Platform implementation service and Data Governance Office for Tenerife Tourism was approved, with budgets of 35,999 euros and 413,998 euros respectively, funded by Next Generation funds.
Natural Spaces Fee
Regarding the entrance fee for protected natural areas on the island, approved during the recent Cabildo plenary session for implementation in 2025, the island’s president outlined the approach to be taken. He stated that the Natural Environment and Tourism departments, along with ULL (University of La Laguna) collaboration, are working on the process. With the availability of tools like the Tax Consortium, creating a public entity for management is unnecessary.
Lope Afonso emphasised the need for initial legal and economic studies to define the tax regulation ordinance for these services and how they will be levied. Establishing an ordinance of this nature is legally stipulated, with a scientific and technical team guiding the development of services and application methods.
Rosa Dávila clarified that the fee will be applicable solely to tourists visiting these natural spaces, exempting residents. She highlighted that aside from revenue collection, the emphasis is on regulating the visitor capacity in these natural settings.
