Fernando Herrera Guillén, his brother Roque and the latter's minor daughter (12 years old) were evicted this Friday from their home on Palacio Valdés street, in Argana Alta (Arrecife), by order of the Court of First Instance No. 1. The house, given free of charge by the Diocese of the Canary Islands to their parents in 1964, was sold in 2006 to the company Juan Antonio Rivera S.L. (Iveco), which triggered a long legal conflict. The family, who had been residing in the property for decades, is now in a garage lent by relatives in Argana Baja.
A legal conflict of more than a decade
In 2011, Iveco sued the mother of the Herrera Guillén to recover the property, but on two occasions the Justice ruled in favor of the family, allowing them to remain in the house under the figure of commodate, which granted them the temporary use of the property due to their situation of poverty. However, after the death of the mother three years ago, the company claimed the property again. Although the family argued that Fernando, who was born and lived there all his life, should have the right to remain, the judge ruled in favor of Iveco, considering that the commodate was not transferable.
Situation of vulnerability and lack of alternatives
The Canarian Institute of Housing (ICAVI) issued a report recognizing the family's situation of vulnerability and requested the court to temporarily suspend the eviction to find a housing solution. However, the eviction order was executed this Friday. The family, which depends on pensions and lacks resources to rent a home, could access aid from the Canarias Pro-Hogar Program, but so far has not found an alternative. The case has generated outrage and highlights the difficulties of many families at risk of social exclusion.
Read the full story in La Provincia
