SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 21st May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Tourism Councilman of the Cabildo de Tenerife, revealed today the intention of the Corporation to establish a task force comprising representatives from social and economic sectors to evaluate the housing situation on the island and suggest potential remedies to the housing crisis.
According to Afonso, “it is crucial for both public and private sectors to collaborate in addressing the current housing access challenges.” He also expressed gratitude to Fepeco and AJE for their commitment to kick-starting this initiative. He highlighted that despite housing being a pervasive issue nationwide, the specific circumstances on the island require tailored attention.
These statements were made during a discussion forum on the housing situation in Tenerife, attended by Lope Afonso, Sonia Hernández, Minister of Municipal Cooperation and Housing, representatives from the construction industry association (Fepeco), and a delegation from the Association of Young Entrepreneurs (AJE).
The discussion commenced with the introduction of the Activa Vivienda and Activa Suelo programmes by Afonso and Hernández, enabling the Cabildo to provide 227 social rental properties to young individuals and families on the island this year through collaborating municipalities.
Vice President Lope Afonso affirmed that the Cabildo’s proactive involvement “extends beyond these initiatives, with ongoing efforts to identify additional solutions that can alleviate the housing issue through the active participation of the insular Institution.”
Both Lope Afonso and Sonia Hernández emphasised that a primary objective at the beginning of their term was “to explore tools to alleviate this situation by increasing the availability of public properties. Therefore, we are committed to inter-administrative cooperation, given the Cabildo’s limited housing jurisdiction.”
“The agreement signed with the Canary Housing Institute provided a legal framework for our enhanced administrative role,” recalled the Vice President, underscoring programmes launched as a result, including a €17 million investment this year for the acquisition of properties and land by municipalities (for social rentals) and housing renovation projects.
Lope Afonso concluded that the Cabildo’s enhanced activities require streamlining bureaucratic procedures, hence the establishment of an insular strategic projects department to expedite developments, recognising that public works serve a crucial social function and act as economic catalysts.”
Fepeco President, Óscar Izquierdo, endorsed the Cabildo’s housing initiatives, stating that collaboration with Fepeco can yield positive outcomes. He also conveyed the sector’s concern regarding significant delays in major construction license approvals across most island municipalities, urging the adoption of regulatory mechanisms akin to those in Andalusia and Madrid, known for significantly reducing approval times and expediting licensing processes.
