The Santa Cruz City Council has halted 111 evictions of at-risk families from January to June this year, as reported yesterday by the Councillor for Social Action, Charín González. The councillor explained that the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS) has compiled vulnerability assessments at the request of the courts to examine the circumstances of individuals and families affected by eviction processes. She stated that in the current socioeconomic climate, along with the challenges of accessing and preserving housing for at-risk families, economic support (PEAS) for rentals, mortgage assistance, property mediation, and deposits are crucial resources.
In this context, she confirmed that during the first half of the year, “the IMAS has disbursed 760 PEAS for homes, totalling nearly 1.4 million euros, of which 124 have been allocated to cover mortgage payments amounting to 276,034 euros.”
The Mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez (CC), remarked that “housing is a primary concern in this municipality; hence, we are working on multiple fronts that fundamentally focus on assistance and housing solutions for vulnerable individuals and families.” He emphasised that efforts include “new construction, renovation of buildings, accessibility initiatives, and agreements with other organisations to develop new properties, alongside the support provided through the PEAS for paying rents and mortgages, specifically to prevent evictions.”
The aid directed towards the capital’s social services was the focus of part of the municipal plenary session yesterday, where significant discussions revolved around the new management model for the Home Help Service (SAD) that the council aims to implement before the year concludes. The PSOE has contested this move in court, believing it to be “against the law,” as announced yesterday. The change in service, currently managed by the Atende concessionaire, seeks to expand to new companies to cater to more users and simultaneously enhance the working conditions of staff.
The socialist spokesperson, Patricia Hernández, disclosed that her group has filed a contentious-administrative case in the courts against the IMAS Governing Council’s agreement, asserting that “it violates the law, as indicated by the national authorities of the city council. Their reports have been damning, highlighting regulatory breaches and alterations to the general law of Subsidies as well as the Social Services law of the Canary Islands, which cannot be implemented in such a short timeframe.”
REPROVAL OF THE COUNCILLOR
Consequently, the PSOE introduced a motion seeking the disapproval of the area councillor for “negligent actions in processing files and undermining the delivery of the SAD,” a request met with vehement exchanges of accusations across party lines.
The CC spokesperson, José A. Díaz Estébanez, labelled the socialists as “obstructionists providing misleading premises in an absurd motion.” He asserted that the Home Help Service “will continue, benefiting over 300 individuals currently on the waiting list, local offices will be established in all districts for improved care, and workers’ conditions and salaries will also see enhancements.”
His assertions were supported by PP spokesperson, Carlos Tarife, who added that “the risk of this service discontinuing due to the management transition is non-existent, as although the contract with the present company concludes on 30 November, it will be extended until the new model is implemented.”
In other matters, the plenary session approved, aside from the vote of VOX, a motion supporting the most disadvantaged populations in light of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, particularly families with minors in their care. In the Chicharrero municipality, a total of 956 children are in such circumstances.
Meanwhile, socialist Mónica Brito garnered plenary support for a motion advocating for the reconciliation of work and family life, proposing an eight-week parental leave for balanced child care.
