Granadilla de Abona Commissions Housing Study to Address Rental Crisis and Regulation

Granadilla de Abona City Council has commissioned the University of La Laguna (ULL) to conduct a comprehensive study of the local housing market. Due next month, this report will provide the town’s first systematic analysis of residential needs and serve as the technical foundation required to declare the municipality a "stressed residential area"—a move already backed by the local council last March.

The study addresses two urgent issues: rising social vulnerability, seen in the increase in evictions and rental difficulties, and the need to comply with new Canary Islands regulations. These laws require local governments to identify which areas are suitable for vacation rentals. In Granadilla, the shortage of hotel beds has led to many homes being converted into tourist rentals, significantly reducing the supply available for permanent residents.

Previously, the council struggled to manage housing policy due to fragmented data. The ULL study will provide a clear picture of the situation, including demographic trends, household structures, the number of vacant properties, and current sales and rental prices. This data will help the council apply the national Housing Law to determine where rent controls are necessary.

Rubén García Casañas, the Councilor for Social Services, stated that this report will form the basis of the municipality’s first-ever Housing Plan. The goal is to move beyond reacting to housing emergencies and instead create a long-term strategy to manage the island's rapid population growth and ensure that residents have access to affordable housing despite high demand from the tourism sector.