Homelessness on Tenerife, a growing crisis with limited housing options.
The issue of homelessness and housing shortages on Tenerife is becoming increasingly dire. According to the latest report by Cáritas, an organization dedicated to helping vulnerable groups, the number of people in situations of extreme residential exclusion is alarmingly on the rise.
Alternative Housing Options Are Scarce
Many people work in sectors such as hospitality and have a steady income, but they still cannot afford a rental property due to the high prices in the south of Tenerife. Some are forced to share housing with multiple families to afford rent, but this is often neither feasible nor desirable. The desire to live with their own families leaves many in precarious situations.
In the southern parts of the island, the number of homeless women, young people, and working individuals who cannot find affordable housing is particularly high. Rising rental prices make it nearly impossible for many to secure their own place, forcing them to seek alternatives such as living in cars, vans, caravans, shantytowns, and even caves.
Vulnerable Groups
The report reveals that young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 are particularly vulnerable to homelessness. Among them are migrants from countries like Morocco and Senegal who, after leaving youth centers, often find themselves on the streets without support. Working individuals, primarily in the hospitality sector, are also at risk when they cannot secure stable housing, often ending up in dead-end situations. In addition to young people, the elderly and minors represent other vulnerable groups within the poverty pyramid on the island.
Although men remain the largest group among the homeless, the number of homeless women is also increasing. This brings specific risks, such as greater exposure to physical and sexual violence. According to Cáritas, the percentage of homeless women on Tenerife is alarmingly rising, from 21.4% in 2020 to 27.6% last year. These women often find themselves in situations where their basic needs are not met, which threatens their safety and well-being.
Root Causes of the Problem
The municipalities in the south of Tenerife are among the areas with the highest poverty rates, with Santa Cruz, Arona, La Laguna, Adeje, Puerto de la Cruz, and Granadilla de Abona standing out. In particular, Granadilla de Abona saw a steep increase in rental prices in 2023, with a 40% hike, exacerbating the situation for those already struggling to make ends meet.
Cáritas notes that, in addition to Spanish residents, a significant number of foreigners are also affected. People from Morocco, Venezuela, Italy, Colombia, and Cuba are particularly impacted. The lack of social housing and the absence of policies focused on affordable housing are considered significant causes by Cáritas. The organization also points to the negative impact of new tourism market developments, such as short-term vacation rentals, which now account for a large portion of Tenerife’s housing market.
A Sustainable Solution Is Not Within Reach
People do not choose to be homeless. Homelessness often results from a combination of factors, and the stereotype of the homeless as people with mental illnesses does not hold true in many cases. Many homeless individuals are working and want to escape their situation, but a combination of unstable incomes and skyrocketing rental prices makes it challenging to access housing. Cáritas calls for an integrated approach that centers on housing, employment, education, and support for people in irregular situations.
This issue needs to be brought to public attention, and Cáritas urges the responsible services to take responsibility. Collaboration with the government and other social entities is essential to finding a sustainable solution and putting a stop to the growing homelessness crisis on Tenerife.
Tinne Wouters © Photography
Homelessness on Tenerife ©
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