Canary Islands Government Plans Funding for Building Renovations by 2027
The President of Fuerteventura’s Cabildo, Lola García, has urged the Canary Islands’ Minister of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility, Pablo Rodríguez, to prioritise the renovation of unfinished buildings before further land development. She believes this approach is essential to increase housing availability on the island.
During their meeting, García presented a document outlining potential sites for rehabilitation, developed in collaboration with Fuerteventura’s six municipalities. She emphasised the need to secure funding from the Canary Islands Government for these projects, highlighting the importance of restoring existing structures instead of consuming more land.
“We’ve been advocating for the use of existing buildings before developing new land. This groundwork with local councils aims to find resources to recover these properties and turn them into homes,” García stated.
Rodríguez expressed the government’s readiness to coordinate these efforts and announced plans for funding in the 2027 budget. He noted that reviving these buildings could reduce construction time and costs by up to 40%. He commended the work done by the Cabildo and municipalities, describing it as a sustainable and viable solution to the housing crisis.
The support from the regional government will facilitate collaboration on the economic, administrative, and legal frameworks needed to transform suitable buildings into new residences.
Multiple Strategies to Address Housing Needs
The initiative to rehabilitate unfinished properties is part of an island-wide housing strategy backed by over €53 million in funding for various projects in Fuerteventura. This plan includes building 176 new affordable homes, renovating more than 800 existing properties, and recovering unfinished buildings for residential use.
This approach focuses on maximising the use of already occupied land to avoid further environmental impact and improve the existing landscape marred by abandoned constructions.
“There’s no single solution to the housing problem. We must continue promoting public housing, restoring existing ones, and recovering viable properties. In a limited territory like ours, prioritising existing structures is key,” García concluded.
