Housing Crisis in Santa Cruz: Concerns Over Abandoned Properties
In the midst of a housing crisis characterised by high demand for rental properties, 11 apartment blocks in the heart of Santa Cruz catch the eye, their majority of windows boarded up. In contrast, neighbouring buildings show signs of life with partially drawn curtains or laundry hanging out to dry. The former La Candelaria neighbourhood still stands, housing some of the owners of the 115 homes built for working-class families in 1955. Today, the neutral grey of the façade and its numerous defects are hard to miss, compounded by the numerous tightly shut windows.
Residents’ Vulnerability
“I’m being asked for €15,000 to move—where am I supposed to get that from?” a local resident tells Atlántico Hoy. The elderly woman claims to be the owner of an apartment allocated to her late husband 70 years ago. Now widowed and living alone on a small pension, she notes, “They built new apartments and said we would get one,” pointing out a block directly across from her home. “Many people have already moved, which is why their old places are boarded up. I’m still here because I have no money. There’s also my neighbour Carmen below and Carmen Dolores on the third floor. In this one, on the ground floor, lives a boy who can’t even walk,” she adds.
2021 Summer Developments
In July 2021, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, through its Municipal Housing department, announced the imminent relocation of residents from the dilapidated neighbourhood to a newly constructed, officially protected building, also located on Valle Inclán Street, pending documentation and payment processes. Numerous families accepted these conditions and moved into their new, more spacious homes—approximately twice the size of their previous apartments—paying around €14,000 each, which included a parking space. Four years ago, it was expected that the move and transfer process would conclude within a year.
Ongoing Delays
That year passed, and the process remained unfinished. Now, three years later, the timeframe for document delivery and processing for property title changes remains indefinitely open at municipal offices, with some families still waiting on paperwork necessary for formalising the swap. Belén Mesa, councillor for housing in Santa Cruz, tells Atlántico Hoy that the ongoing process involves “the replacement of homes due to the original property’s poor condition,” confirming that fewer than 20 families are still awaiting their definitive relocation.
Identifying Problems
The councillor explains that delays in the full relocation of all residents are primarily linked to property issues: inheritances, potential mortgage burdens, or foreclosures, among others. Mesa insists that not all homes awaiting replacement are occupied, as some owners have secured them preventively for safety reasons and are living elsewhere. She adds that this measure has made the process progress in a more staggered manner, as they protect both the property and the neighbours from potential occupations.
Absence of Illegal Occupation
In any case, city officials confirm that there have been no reports of illegal occupations in the affected blocks, meaning there are currently no issues with “squatters.” They noted that some cases of “squatting” in apartments designated for replacement previously occurred but were “resolved by their respective owners.”
Future Plans for the Area
Mesa notes that the most urgent matter is “to complete this process to take the next steps,” emphasising that citizen participation has been integral since the beginning. She highlights that the City Council continues to provide technical support to residents in need and offers financial assistance through the Social Services department, allowing for payment instalments for those experiencing economic hardship. Furthermore, the lands where the La Candelaria blocks are located will become municipal property once the exchange process is completed. “Once the process is finished for one entire building, demolition will occur, followed by the subsequent steps,” she explains. The councillor concludes that there were initial thoughts of demolishing these blocks to utilise the land for a new replacement of buildings and green spaces. “Considering the housing issue in the municipality and the demand for properties, this could be an option for new housing plans,” she adds.
