The Cabildo of Lanzarote has formalized the purchase for more than six million euros of three plots of land destined for the construction of affordable rental housing for families, in a "clear commitment to improving citizens' access to decent housing at reasonable prices." The lands, two located in Arrecife and one in the municipality of Yaiza (Uga), have been acquired by the Institution before a notary and will now be transferred to the Canary Islands Housing Institute of the Government of the Canary Islands for their development and construction.
This step represents one of the most significant initiatives of the current Government team, which "since the beginning of its mandate has prioritized the acquisition of land for housing." According to President Betancort, "this investment reflects our commitment to the families and young people of Lanzarote, who for years have suffered the difficulty of finding affordable housing. We set out to unblock this problem from day one, and we are delivering."
In addition, from the Housing Area they have confirmed that before the end of 2024 the Cabildo will have allocated almost 11 million euros to these purchases because it will acquire new plots on Arado Street, Góngora Street in Arrecife and in San Bartolomé (1.5M€); and in San Francisco Javier (3M€).
A change of course in housing policy
It is the first time in the history of Lanzarote and La Graciosa that the Cabildo of Lanzarote has formalized a purchase of this magnitude for rental homes at reasonable prices. The purchase of these lands is seen as "a change of course in the island's housing policy, marked in previous years by inactivity."
The island councilor for Housing, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, has stated that the purchase of these lands is a clear sign of the Cabildo's will to put an end to the shortage of affordable housing in Lanzarote. "The plots are not only an investment in infrastructure, but in the dignity and future of our families," said Jiménez. "Housing is one of our first objectives since we came to power, seeking to tackle a national problem that they have not been able to solve. In this time, one of our measures has been to provide ourselves with those plots that now, after the mandatory plenary agreement, we will hand over to the Canary Islands Government for the construction of housing. We are the first Cabildo to launch an initiative of this type," he detailed.
The lands in Arrecife, located in strategic areas such as Vicente Vila González and Gómez Ulla streets, total more than 5,000 square meters, while the plot in Uga covers 4,714 square meters. These locations have been selected for their suitability for the development of affordable rental housing, mainly aimed at young people and working families, thus avoiding the creation of ghettos and promoting urban integration.
The Cabildo urgently addresses the housing crisis
The Cabildo, protected by the Law of Patrimony of Public Administrations, has carried out these acquisitions directly, attending to the urgency of the housing crisis and the lack of supply in the island's real estate market. In addition, according to what was advanced by the Councilor for Housing, the lands will be transferred to the Government of the Canary Islands in the coming weeks, so that the construction of the houses can begin as soon as possible.
This initiative is part of a broader plan that includes the investment of 13.2 million euros in housing policies in just one year, which demonstrates the Corporation's commitment to improving the social welfare of the people of Lanzarote. In this sense, Betancort insisted that "the greatest investment effort of this government is directed to housing, because we understand that it is one of the most pressing problems facing our society."
The action of the Cabildo of Lanzarote is not limited to the purchase of land, but also contemplates a plan of subsidies to support young people seeking housing, collaboration with the Canary Islands Executive to continue building public protected housing developments, as well as the implementation of measures to encourage the use of vacation homes in the residential rental market at reasonable prices.
With this purchase, the Cabildo of Lanzarote demonstrates that "it is committed to offering real solutions to the housing crisis, in contrast to the inaction of previous mandates, and continues working to ensure that access to decent housing is a reality for all citizens of the island."
