SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 17th Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A total of 2,308 individuals (+2.1%) are experiencing severe residential exclusion in Tenerife, as per 2023 data gathered in a report compiled by Cáritas de Tenerife, in partnership with the Cabildo, and disclosed this Wednesday.
The majority of homelessness cases are concentrated in the towns of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (36%), Arona (12.7%), La Laguna (12%), Adeje (8%), Puerto de La Cruz (8%), and Granadilla (5.2%), with 57.1% of those affected being of national origin and the rest being foreigners.
Nearly half, 49.9%, reside in public outdoor spaces, 15.4% stay in night shelters but spend the daytime in public areas, and 14.4% live in temporary and unconventional structures like caravans and similar.
Yolanda Baumgartner, the island’s Social Action director, declared during a press briefing the Cabildo’s commitment to continue efforts to prevent the “chronicization of homelessness” on the island, as almost 4 out of 10 individuals in severe residential exclusion have been in this state for between 13 and 36 months.
Noteworthy from this report is the rise in the percentage of women living on the streets, which is expected to reach 27.6% by 2023.
Baumgartner, in her address, highlighted the work undertaken by Caritas, providing a social map concerning homelessness that “enables the implementation of projects and initiatives addressing the root causes of this societal issue, with the goal of meeting the specific needs of vulnerable individuals in such circumstances.”
Regarding this matter, she emphasised the formulation of an Island Strategy on homelessness and efforts being made “towards innovative approaches, such as a subsidy scheme for municipalities to handle housing emergencies.”
The island’s director concluded that “it is crucial to forge partnerships with the third sector and other authorities to strive towards offering prompt and effective solutions to social needs.”
