Cohousing or collaborative housing are self-managed communities where residents share resources and common spaces, but retain their privacy. Decisions about management and maintenance are made jointly.
The Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, Jessica de León, held a meeting with representatives of various collaborative housing projects on the islands, grouped under the name Red de Vivienda Canaria Cooperativa (VICACO), which sent a statement to the media in this regard.
The meeting focused on analyzing the difficulties these initiatives face in accessing calls for public subsidies, given that the current bases are designed primarily for traditional housing models.
During the meeting, it was emphasized "the added value of cohousing: projects that not only facilitate access to housing, but also promote direct and indirect employment, community care services and the economic revitalization of the areas where they are implemented," explain from VIVACO.
As a main agreement, it was decided to create a joint working group between the ministry and representatives of the sector, which will work throughout 2025 on the review and improvement of the bases of the calls for subsidies of 2026, with the aim of adapting the regulations to the reality and needs of cohousing.
"The collaborative housing movement in the Canary Islands is consolidating as an innovative option to face the housing and social challenges of the region. These initiatives strengthen community networks, promote intergenerational coexistence and offer a sustainable model that places people at the center, thus contributing to the construction of more supportive and resilient communities," shares VIVACO.
