On Tuesday, March 12, in Arona, a municipality in the south of Tenerife, there will be the eviction of 90 families made up of squatters of different nationalities, including Ukrainian refugees, who have been occupying two buildings in the Costa del Silencio area for the past eight years.
These properties were never finished or utilized, and the 210 affected individuals, including newborns, children, pregnant women, and the elderly, have invested thousands of euros in equipment over recent years. This includes solar panels, due to water and electricity shortages, resulting in an investment of between 1,000 and 3,000 euros per case. They are now forced to leave these investments behind, without any security, and are requesting an extension of one to two months to gather their belongings.
Spokesperson Eloy Outerial Miniño stated that the families will peacefully vacate the homes on Tuesday, March 12, but expressed regret that the eviction notice was not directed specifically at anyone. Only two weeks were given to prepare for the departure of those affected, with no alternative accommodation provided.
As of now, Arona City Council has not found housing solutions for the 90 families facing eviction on Tuesday. The situation in the south is spiralling out of control. Municipal Social Services considered providing a temporary space, particularly for vulnerable individuals like pregnant women, children, and the elderly. However, this proposal was rejected to avoid setting a precedent.
Consequently, with renting or buying proving impossible due to soaring property prices, especially in the south of Tenerife, the families have resorted to temporarily residing on the region’s beaches. However, concerns have been raised about the welfare of children, with warnings from the council, leading these families to occupy the deserted buildings as the only available option.
Unblocking the El Mojón partial plan
Despite the prevalent housing crisis, last February, the Arona City Council approved the urban planning agreement unlocking the El Mojón partial plan. Spanning 908,306 square meters, this process, which has taken 40 years to complete, involves a significant land area adjacent to the tourist hubs of Los Cristianos and Las Américas, with no provision for public housing as of now. The plan encompasses hotel, residential, commercial, educational, sports, and institutional plots.
Out of the total 908,306 square meters of El Mojón’s area, the council will take ownership of 332,904 square meters of land (36% of the net area of the partial plan), to be transferred free of charge for public use. This allocation will include 120,037 square meters for roads, parking, and pedestrian areas.
The city council plans to develop various areas within Arona municipality, including 115,736 square meters of garden spaces, a 52,818 square meter urban park, and three sites for cultural, sports, and educational facilities covering over 44,000 square meters.
Last year, significant progress was made on projects in the region, such as the construction of two large parks, the upcoming Arona Arena, and partnerships with well-known companies like Lidl and McDonald’s. The area’s potential is as vast as the heart of Los Cristianos.
Potential Traffic Issues on TF-1 Access Points
The commencement of these developments could lead to traffic congestion on the TF-1 access points, raising concerns highlighted by Luis García, the deputy mayor and councillor for Urban Planning. He stressed the need to prioritize improving mobility to enhance citizens’ quality of life, even amidst potential economic benefits.
The Canary Islands experience a surge in real estate prices, a notable presence of foreign property owners, and a lack of official protection measures for tenants.
An analysis by The Canary Islands Now based on data from the National Institute of Statistics and the Housing Rental Index revealed that households in certain municipalities, like Arona, spend over 30% of their income on rent and basic utilities.
Lomo Negro: An Unauthorized Settlement in Southern Tenerife
In addition to squatting in abandoned buildings, the growth of the informal settlement Lomo Negro in Arona exemplifies issues stemming from irregularities, speculation, and the housing crisis.
Authorities took action to seal off the area following reports to the Prosecutor’s Office. However, despite interventions, attempts to sell parcels of land in the area persist, raising concerns over property ownership and construction legality.
Despite various housing challenges faced by Arona, no measures have been taken to declare it a distressed area or implement stricter real estate market controls.
