The residents of Valterra are trembling because they could end up on the street. A total of 70 of the 200 social houses that were built in the 50s, promoted by the Instituto La Marina, are in danger. Their tenants fear being evicted and are already pointing to those responsible for this whole situation. "Rocar, Garavilla and Ojeda", according to José Cruz, the president of the neighborhood association, are the canning companies that operated in Arrecife decades ago and that now claim ownership of the houses. However, the residents claim that the ownership belongs to the Social Institute La Marina. The litigation continues in Madrid, "behind the backs of the residents."
This was explained this Wednesday on Radio Lanzarote by José Cruz, who assured that the residents have requested meetings with the canning companies but they "have not wanted to meet" with these citizens. "We've been dealing with the same thing for ten years, over and over again. We do not recognize those gentlemen as owners of our houses," he stressed.
Both José Cruz and the rest of the residents of this neighborhood of Valterra feel defenseless against "these abuses by the owners of the canning companies." "They wanted to make a killing and that is not correct", Cruz said, referring to a possible speculation on the land on which the houses are located.
"We have been here for 50 years and they want to take our houses away. I don't understand it. This is an abuse and abuses are always committed by the same people and we, the poor and defenseless, always pay," said this resident on Radio Lanzarote, who assured that he will do everything possible to ensure that "these citizens are not thrown out of their houses."
Cruz recalled that the deeds belong to the Instituto La Marina, so he does not understand why Ojeda claims 10 houses, Rocar 20 and Garavilla 40. "We, the residents, are the ones who have paid the taxes and the ones who have paid for the repairs of the houses," he said.
"The guarantee" of the Ministry
He also assured that the residents have a letter from the Minister of Development, which indicates that "as long as there is no negotiation with the residents, those houses will not be transferred to anyone's name." "It is our guarantee," Cruz said.
José Cruz will meet on Friday with Senator Marcos Hernández, who this Wednesday traveled to Madrid, among other things, to inquire about the situation of these houses. "We want to know how things are in Madrid to know what will become of our houses. We want them to inform us," Cruz said.