The works for the 201 officially protected homes that are being built in Maneje are progressing well, according to the Ministry of Public Works, following the visit they made this Wednesday. The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Canary Islands Government, Pablo Rodríguez, traveled to the site, along with the director of the Canary Housing Institute (ICAVI), Antonio Ortega.
During the visit, the Minister of Housing of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, and the deputy mayor of Arrecife, Echedey Eugenio, were also present, who were able to learn firsthand about the progress of this public development intended to increase the supply of protected housing on the island.
The actions include the construction of three buildings of 67 homes each, totaling 201 protected properties of different typologies —one, two, three, and four bedrooms— also including adapted homes and supported housing. Each building will have parking spaces, storage rooms, and energy efficiency systems, such as photovoltaic installations for the supply of common areas and aerothermal equipment for the production of domestic hot water.
The execution of these three promotions represents a joint investment of over 27 million euros. The counselor Pablo Rodríguez has highlighted that “we seek to respond to the main problem that Canarians have today, which is housing. We are increasing the public housing stock so that residents of Lanzarote can access affordable and dignified housing and develop their life project. These more than 200 properties that we visit today are a clear example of that commitment to public housing, of which two buildings will be available throughout this 2026”.
Tender for the project to build the other 200 homes
On the other hand, the counselor has also explained that Visocan has a plot in the same area, which is planned to accommodate 200 more homes. “A month ago we put out to tender the drafting project, a process to which about 10 companies have submitted bids. Therefore, our forecast is to have this award before the end of the legislature. In the end, there will be 400 public homes in the same area, between the ICAVI developments and those planned by the public company.”
Furthermore, Rodríguez has highlighted the new decree on housing awards that "represents a necessary change in access to public housing in the Canary Islands. We are leaving behind the lottery system to implement a fairer model, based on a scale that takes into account the social, economic, and family reality of each person. In this way, we guarantee that public housing reaches those who need it most, also prioritizing people who have been residing in the Canary Islands for at least ten years. It is a firm step to ensure that public housing, financed with the taxes of the Canary Islanders, truly fulfills its social function."
For his part, the Minister of Housing of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, has highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Government of the Canary Islands and the ICAVI to offer real solutions to families. “Actions like this demonstrate that the coordination between administrations is fundamental to expanding the public housing stock and guaranteeing access to decent housing in Lanzarote,” he stated, recalling that the Cabildo has launched the largest housing plan in its recent history, with more than 20 million euros allocated to the acquisition of land and public housing, as well as to the promotion of affordable rent.
Within this plan, the purchase of three plots of land—two in Arrecife and one in Uga (Yaiza)—has been highlighted, the acquisition of 42 homes in Playa Blanca already transferred to ICAVI, and the obtaining of 5.5 million euros from the Government of the Canary Islands, added to another 5.5 million from own funds, to acquire 76 new protected homes. Furthermore, the approval of the Young Rent Bonus has been emphasized, with 1.4 million euros allocated to facilitate youth emancipation. "We are making an unprecedented economic effort because we firmly believe that housing is an essential pillar for social cohesion and the future of our island," he concluded.
Likewise, the deputy mayor of Arrecife, Echedey Eugenio, has pointed out that this “is an important day because these homes are progressing at a good pace and come to address a historic problem in our city. This visit highlights that it is constant and sustained work over time, and we are confident that before the end of the year we will have very good news about the handover of the homes. The process is managed directly by the Department, with updated registration lists and a regulatory change in distribution, so interested parties are already receiving the corresponding resolution shortly”.
