It’s uncomfortable reading, this one….and although I’m not taking responsibility for it, I’m fully aware that I’ve had something to do with it in some part.
According to Nueva Canarias – a Canarian political party – the Canary Islands are now facing a housing situation that feels like it’s gone backwards by decades. People living in cars. Vans. Caravans. Even caves.
Not for the experience. Not for the lifestyle.
Because they’ve got nowhere else to go.
That’s madness.
This isn’t a niche problem anymore
This isn’t just about students or young people trying to leave the family home.
It’s not even just about low incomes.
Housing in the Canary Islands has become unaffordable for a huge chunk of the population. Rents have shot up. Sale prices keep climbing. Long term rental stock has almost disappeared.
And this has all accelerated over the last couple of years.
I see it first hand. Weekly.
People with steady jobs who can’t secure a long term rental. Families doubling up. Properties sitting empty while demand goes through the roof.
Something’s clearly broken.
When “alternative living” isn’t a choice
Luis Campos, Secretary General of Nueva Canarias, didn’t hold back this week.
He described a situation where people are living in vehicles, overcrowded buildings and even caves simply to avoid sleeping on the street.
Not because they want to.
Because they have to.
He compared it to conditions that were common before democracy, situations that were largely reduced during the 80s and 90s.
And yet here we are again.
Yawn… progress.
Prices up, policies missing
Campos claims housing access is now at its worst point in three or four decades.
That’s a big statement, but when you compare property prices and rents with local wages, it doesn’t feel exaggerated.
What makes it worse is the feeling that there’s been a total absence of effective housing policy while prices have continued to rise.
Doing nothing would be bad enough.
Doing the wrong thing is worse.
Who’s actually benefiting?
One of the strongest criticisms is that recent government measures appear to favour those who already have plenty.
Large landlords. Developers. Speculators.
Campos pointed to decrees passed with minimal public debate, including one from early 2024, which he says have achieved very little for ordinary residents while benefiting those at the top end of the market.
From the ground, it certainly doesn’t feel like locals are being protected.
Rejected ideas don’t fix anything
Nueva Canarias also says a series of proposals were repeatedly dismissed, including:
- A temporary moratorium on holiday rentals
- Incentives to bring empty properties back into long term use
- Updating housing law to make access to housing a real right
- Declaring stressed rental areas to help rein in prices
Each one rejected.
At some point, inaction becomes a conscious decision.
The damage goes beyond housing
When people can’t find somewhere to live, it doesn’t stop at property.
Workers leave the island. Families split. Communities weaken.
Campos warned that the crisis is eroding social cohesion and pushing thousands into what he calls residential exclusion.
That sounds dramatic.
Until you speak to people living in cars while working full time.
A view from the ground
I’m not writing this as a politician or an activist.
I live here. I work in property. I speak to buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants every single week.
And yes, there is a housing emergency in the Canary Islands.
There’s no simple fix. Anyone claiming otherwise is kidding themselves.
But pretending it isn’t happening, or rolling out policies that mainly benefit those with the deepest pockets, isn’t helping anyone.
This needs a proper rethink. Quickly.
