Drainage Works Delay Handover of New Las Chumberas Housing Blocks

The long-running redevelopment of Las Chumberas in La Laguna has reached a critical turning point. Following a recent meeting between the City Council and local residents, officials confirmed that while two new housing blocks—comprising 79 and 118 units—are physically complete, they cannot be handed over until a new drainage system is finished and final administrative hurdles are cleared.

Because the area lacks a public network capable of supporting the new buildings, crews are currently installing a specialized rainwater drainage system. Workers have already excavated over 15 meters of earth, and the project is now focused on building the absorption chamber. This phase is expected to take four months and remains the primary obstacle to moving residents into the finished homes.

Administratively, the project is nearing the finish line. Most expropriation notices have been served, clearing the way for the necessary legal filings, such as property registration and the formal declaration of new construction.

However, the project’s future still depends on ongoing negotiations between the Ministry of Housing, the Canary Islands Government, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the City Council. The local government has set a firm requirement: a single, comprehensive agreement that ensures long-term stability. The Council is pushing for "Phase 2" to be the final stage of the project, which includes replacing all vacated housing blocks and extending rent support beyond the current October 2027 expiration date.

In terms of neighborhood safety, the Local and National Police continue to coordinate patrols and preventive checks. The area has remained quiet over the last three months, with no major disturbances reported. Meanwhile, the City Council has stepped up routine maintenance, including improved cleaning, landscaping, and public lighting, to help manage the wear and tear caused by the lengthy regeneration process.