The Teguise City Council approved in the plenary session this Tuesday the motion of Somos Lanzarote for "the creation of an Island Housing and Rental Agency to serve as an intermediary between owners and tenants to boost and seek to lower prices, in collaboration with the Cabildo, the rest of the city councils and the Autonomous Community." A proposal that the formation already made last March in the Island Council, where it was rejected by the votes against the government group (CC, PSOE and PIL) and Nueva Canarias.
"The motion, which arises as a response to the increase in rental prices for residential use that the Lanzarote real estate market has experienced in recent months, proposes the creation of a body to be responsible for the elaboration of a housing stock for rent, to provide legal advice and mediate free of charge between the parties, offer tools that provide security and guarantees, in addition to budgetary measures for greater economic support and subsidies in housing matters," according to Somos Lanzarote.
The formation's proposal states that "the right to enjoy decent and adequate housing is a fundamental constitutional precept that, however, is becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy by the working people and families of the Island who opt for rent." "In recent months, the increase in the number of tourists visiting the island has contributed to an increase in the price of housing rentals, not only in tourist areas, but in practically all urban environments, given the 'competition' that vacation rentals carry out on residential rentals," he adds.
For the "emergency situation suffered by citizens"
During the presentation of the motion of Somos Lanzarote, the spokesperson for the residents of the Las Tabaibas complex, in Costa Teguise, intervened, who, according to Somos in a statement, have a date for eviction from their homes after their owner sold them. In addition, the party has pointed out that they cannot find other affordable accommodation due to the shortage of rental housing on the island.
"Given the emergency situation suffered by the citizens of Lanzarote, political actions are necessary to guarantee their right to access housing, prioritizing from the institutions measures that provide security and facilities for both tenants and landlords," said Omaira Díaz, councilor and spokesperson for the Somos Lanzarote group in the Teguise City Council.