Canary Islands Housing Crisis Pushes Middle Class Into Homelessness
A deepening housing crisis in the Canary Islands is forcing both vulnerable populations and middle-class workers into homelessness, with many resorting to living in vehicles due to a severe lack of affordable housing and public infrastructure.
The housing crisis in the Canary Islands has evolved from a struggle for the most vulnerable into a structural issue affecting the middle class. A recent report from Cáritas on extreme housing exclusion in Tenerife reveals that the lack of affordable homes is forcing a growing number of people to live in tents, vehicles, or informal settlements.
The report highlights an alarming trend: financial instability is no longer limited to those with low incomes. While many vulnerable individuals—often men over 45 with health issues—are becoming homeless due to soaring rents, even those with stable jobs, including civil servants, are struggling. Many are now forced to buy motorhomes as a last resort to avoid living on the streets. These vehicles often require an initial investment of 50,000 euros and monthly payments of up to 600 euros, yet they remain the only viable option for those priced out of the rental market.
This crisis affects a wide range of people, including families with children, migrants, and local citizens. According to José Antonio Díez, the coordinator of the study, the core issue is the lack of an effective public safety net. Despite the introduction of the Social Services Law in 2019, municipal services are overwhelmed, and a long-standing shortage of housing infrastructure continues to hinder progress.
Social organizations agree that not enough social housing has been built over the past 20 years. To address this emergency, they are calling for immediate solutions, such as the use of prefabricated housing, to help those currently living in caves, ravines, or vehicles. Cáritas warns that without decisive government intervention, this failure to provide basic housing will lead to long-term social exclusion across the islands.