families of the Tabaiba building, on Isla de La Graciosa street in San Isidro (Granadilla de Abona), they say they are more concerned at present about having a reasonable time to find alternative housing than about the possible arrival of company personnel unoccupied, contracted by the property for the eviction of the property, according to it. “People are passing through, because what interests them, right now, is that they be given a period to find a place to live, which is what we want from the beginning, not that they be thrown out on the street like dogs,” they point out from the groups that support neighbors.
48 families reside in the building as squatters, many for more than a decade. The property claims its return and took legal action for it. The first seven usurpation trials took place last Tuesday and the next ones are scheduled for June. However, on day 4 an intervention of the Desokupa company, which claims to have been hired by the property to vacate the building. A fact that did not materialize, although, and with the argument that its weight poses a danger to the stability of the building, the device emptied the water tanks located by the squatters on the roof. Likewise, they broke several solar panels placed by the neighbors, according to them, and replaced access doors to the roof, some of them removed by the residents. The situation led to insults, threats and accusations that gave rise to cross-accusations. Desokupa warns, through social networks, that he will return to finish the contracted work.
The residents of the Tabaiba building highlighted yesterday the current role of the Canarian Housing Institute, of the Canary Islands Government. «They have been involved in finding a solution and giving answers to the neighbors. It has practically forced the City Council to issue the vulnerability reports so that they can have the time they need to find alternative accommodation at the price they can pay,” they explain.
“The City Council has not listened to us, it is not there and it is not expected”, although the municipal government says it is not competent in Housing and that its role is to transfer the demands from Social Services to the Government of the Canary Islands.
