Santa Cruz Residents Call for Urgent Action Over Persistent Homeless Encampment

The homelessness crisis in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has once again exposed gaps in how the city coordinates its support services. According to Diario de Avisos, a group of vulnerable people has set up a permanent camp under the Zurita bridge on Avenida Islas Canarias. This has led to friction with residents of the Salamanca neighborhood, who are concerned about the buildup of trash and personal belongings in public spaces.

The camp has been there for about six months, and residents of Calle Pintor Ribera say sanitary conditions near the tram stop have steadily worsened. Four to five people typically live there, including an individual with reduced mobility. Neighbors argue that the situation requires a more meaningful solution than just occasional street cleaning.

The local homeowners' association has reported the issue through official channels, including the "SC Mejora" app and direct contact with security forces, stating that the Municipal Care Unit’s (UMA) efforts have not been enough. While the area is cleaned periodically, belongings reappear within days, which residents say proves there is no long-term social or health support in place. The situation has become more urgent after reports that one of the occupants has moved into a nearby construction site, causing alarm for a local gym frequented by children.

This case highlights the difficulty of managing social exclusion in the city, where a lack of effective support leads to ongoing tension. Residents emphasize that they are not trying to criminalize those living on the street; rather, they are calling for specialized help, such as the regional "Puentes en Salud" (Bridges to Health) program. They are urging authorities to adopt a multidisciplinary approach that combines social services with healthcare, noting that some of the individuals appear to have mental health needs that require consistent, professional treatment rather than temporary fixes.