Yesterday, the Plenary Session of La Laguna sanctioned the proposal presented by the local administration (PSOE-CC) that outlines around ten measures aimed at mitigating, through municipal powers, the housing crisis in La Laguna. These measures are centred around three key goals: utilising vacant housing, boosting the availability of affordable rentals, and finishing incomplete constructions. The proposal passed thanks to the votes of the local government parties, along with Unidas se Puede and Vox, while Drago Verdes Canarias, the PP, and the independent councillor chose to abstain.
The Councillor for Housing, Adolfo Cordobés, clarified that these “extraordinary measures” have been proposed following a thorough examination of the report prepared by the ULL on the socioeconomic landscape of housing in the municipality, and that they will complement the initiatives the council is already implementing in this area.
CC councillor Miguel García elaborated on the measures, which include a subsidy scheme for the refurbishment of vacant properties, a reduction in IBI for occupied properties and/or those in default, an increase in this tax for unoccupied properties owned by large holders, as defined by the state Housing Law, and the establishment of a dedicated rental management office.
Furthermore, it is suggested to establish an average rental rate for homes categorised as Incentivised Affordable or to halve licensing and ICIO fees for developments designated for affordable rental housing, among other proposals.
Additionally, the creation of a specific tax for unfinished constructions owned by funds or private entities is suggested, along with a request for comprehensive data regarding empty properties held by Sareb, to enable consolidation offers for their acquisition at set prices as established by law, among other initiatives.
Opposition parties showed their general agreement with certain measures while expressing reservations about others, indicating a desire to have been involved in their development.
An in-voice amendment proposed by Unidas se Puede was integrated into the text, which the proponents accepted. This amendment called for establishing a special full commission tasked with addressing the housing situation, including participation from all parties to propose actions and provide opinions on the issues at hand.
Moreover, the Plenary unanimously endorsed a motion from Unidas se Puede, in agreement with the local government, to explore necessary actions to expand and implement, using either internal or external funding, the project proposed in the Care Strategy addressing unwanted loneliness in La Cuesta-Taco. They also aimed to conduct a specialised study on measures necessary to tackle the high incidence detected in District 5, among other actions.
A motion from Drago was unanimously approved, with an amendment from the government team, proposing various measures to enhance the public areas surrounding the Parque de las Islas university residence and the route to the tram stop, as well as reinstating operational status for Titsa line 610.
Conversely, amid discussions of a PP motion to install a streaming system in the plenary hall, which was rejected, the local government clarified that they are currently preparing specifications to contract the service, which will include additional enhancements. At this juncture, Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez reminded attendees that, for many years, they have been searching for “a space within the historic city to accommodate this plenary hall” while also working on preserving the current space, which has remained “very limited.” He noted that the search has been “extremely challenging.”
Finally, the Plenary concluded with the announcement by Councillor Patricia Rodríguez (CC) regarding her resignation due to “personal reasons.” CC confirmed that Moisés Afonso will assume her position.
