An estimated 30,000 to 35,000 individuals in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are facing social vulnerability, as calculated by the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS). This substantial number is based on the assumption that each family unit consists of approximately two to three members. Additionally, the IMAS Social Work units assisted a total of 14,012 individuals in situations of poverty or social exclusion in 2023 (9,395 women and 4,208 men), with the majority being part of family units.
The latest findings on poverty in Santa Cruz were unveiled by IMAS president, Charín González, during a recent municipal plenary session. This announcement was made in response to a query from the non-affiliated councilor, Juan Manuel Hermoso, regarding social vulnerability and the volume of individuals seeking housing assistance in the city.
In response, the councilor revealed that between January 1 and May 21, 2024, a total of 962 housing assistance applications were initiated, out of which 762 were processed. Among these, 558 were linked to rental subsidies, 91 to mortgage loans, and 109 to aid for community expenses.
Councilor Juan Manuel Hermoso raised another query concerning access to housing, directing his question to Municipal Housing delegate, Ana Belén Mesa. He sought to ascertain the number of individuals on the housing waiting list and, more specifically, the proportion at risk of poverty in Santa Cruz.
These figures are compounded by data on family evictions, with the IMAS president noting that 74 vulnerability declarations were processed in the first quarter of the year. These cases are submitted to the court to prevent eviction, and out of these, 59 have been successfully halted.
