The Government of the Canary Islands, the Ministry of Development and the Arrecife City Council have signed this Monday two collaboration agreements for the replacement of 40 homes in the capital's neighborhoods of Valterra and Titerroy. Although initially the rehabilitation of 160 homes had been announced, already in the month of September the Minister of Housing of the Government of the Canary Islands, Inés Rojas, confirmed that only 40 could be repaired, given that the financing of the State Plan that contemplates these works had been "reduced by half".
Of these 40 homes, 20 are in the Valterra neighborhood and another 20 in Titerroy. The text of the agreements states that, due to the high state of deterioration in which the homes are located, the action will include the demolition works of the buildings and the construction of the new homes, as well as the necessary re-urbanization works and the execution of a relocation program.
The construction of these homes must be completed in 2016. "December 31, 2016 must be finished, it must have the certificate of completion of work, that is the condition", explained Rojas last September.
Although initially the rehabilitation of 160 homes had been announced, the Minister of Housing announced then that the City Council had to "adjust the agreements" due to the reduction of the financial file of the State Plan to promote housing rental, building rehabilitation and urban regeneration and renovation. Rojas pointed out that the item had been reduced by half and that it would be necessary to "distribute the money among all" the housing rehabilitation projects in the Archipelago.
Agreement between the Government of the Canary Islands and the State
The works of these 40 homes "will involve an economic mobilization on the island of 4,364,7364 euros", the Autonomous Ministry of Housing has reported. Of this amount, the State will contribute 35%, the Government of the Canary Islands 30%, the Arrecife City Council 28% and the rest will be contributed by individuals.
The Minister of Housing, Inés Rojas, has highlighted the "importance for the island of this economic mobilization in terms of job creation", in one of the sectors most affected in recent years by the crisis. "With this signature we are fulfilling a commitment that we had established with the families of Arrecife to respond to the serious situation and danger involved in continuing in their homes," said Rojas.
In addition to the Valterra and Titerroy agreements, the Canarian administrations have formalized this Monday with the State another 7 agreements to recover the home and neighborhood of another 803 island families. These agreements are added to the 9 signed on December 29, adding a total of 18 agreements with the State for the rehabilitation of homes in the Archipelago worth 51,447,000 euros until 2017. Of this amount, the Government of the Canary Islands will contribute 27%.