Santa Cruz de Tenerife Social Aid Spending Hits Record €14.8 Million Amid Rising Demand
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has significantly expanded its social services, investing 14.8 million euros in 2025 to address a surge in demand for food and housing assistance among vulnerable families.
Over the past year, Santa Cruz de Tenerife has completely overhauled its social services, focusing on a public model that prioritizes basic needs. According to official City Council data, the city provided 75,326 social aid grants in 2025, highlighting how many vulnerable families now rely on municipal support.
The data shows a concerning trend: food and basic survival now account for nearly 90% of all Social Assistance Economic Benefits (PEAS). To meet this demand, the City Council has made a historic financial commitment, spending 14.8 million euros. This is a massive increase from the 1.4 million spent in 2010, reflecting both rising living costs and a significantly higher workload for Social Work Units, which are now managing over 40,000 files compared to 22,047 fifteen years ago.
The shift in spending is clear. In 2011, food aid was just over 186,000 euros; by 2025, that figure reached 8.9 million. This support is now a cornerstone of the system, provided through prepaid cards and direct payments of up to 300 euros per month for large families. Similarly, housing support has grown from 494,000 euros to nearly 4 million annually, with higher limits now available for rent, mortgages, and community fees.
Looking toward 2026, the local government, led by José Manuel Bermúdez, plans to continue this approach while adding new initiatives. These include grants of up to 6,000 euros for disability adaptations and free nursery school access for families earning less than 900 euros a month. Charín González, the Councilor for Social Policies, noted that the goal is to go beyond basic welfare by improving telecare and streamlining the Home Help Service to reduce waiting times.
The increased focus on social protection in Tenerife reflects a broader national trend, where city councils have become the first line of defense against economic hardship. After managing over 72,000 cases during the health crisis, the City Council now faces the challenge of keeping this expanded system financially sustainable as it adapts to an increasingly complex social landscape.