Fuerteventura’s Leader Urges Action on Unfinished Buildings to Boost Housing Supply
Lola García, President of the Fuerteventura Cabildo, has called on Pablo Rodríguez, the Canary Islands’ Minister for Public Works, Housing, and Mobility, to prioritise the recovery of unfinished buildings before further land development. This, she argues, is essential for increasing housing availability on the island.
During their meeting, García presented a document created in collaboration with the six local councils of Fuerteventura, identifying potential unfinished structures that could be repurposed for housing.
She emphasised the need for the Canary Islands government to secure funding and create partnerships for rehabilitating these properties, aiming for those deemed technically and legally feasible. “We believe it’s vital to utilise existing buildings before consuming more land. We’ve worked closely with the councils to identify these opportunities, and today, we’re seeking the needed resources,” said García.
The submitted document reviews unfinished buildings and assesses their potential for residential use through a coordinated effort among the relevant authorities. García added, “We have a real housing shortage and limited territory. If there are existing structures that can serve residential purposes, we must first focus on those options.”
Rodríguez confirmed the government’s willingness to collaborate on this initiative, announcing funding lines included in the 2027 budget. He highlighted that refurbishing these buildings could reduce construction costs by up to 40% and praised the efforts of local authorities. “This approach fosters sustainable and cost-effective housing, and the Canary Islands government will support it with coordination and funding,” he stated.
The government’s backing will facilitate joint efforts to establish the necessary economic, administrative, and legal structures to transform viable unfinished buildings into homes.
A Broader Housing Strategy
The initiative to recover unfinished buildings is part of a wider housing strategy by the Cabildo, which aims to mobilise over €53 million for housing projects in Fuerteventura.
This strategy includes new protected housing construction—176 homes planned—and the rehabilitation of over 800 existing properties, alongside efforts to repurpose incomplete buildings for residential use when feasible.
This approach not only utilises already developed land but also addresses the negative visual impact of unfinished buildings on the landscape.
“There’s no single solution to the housing issue. We must continue promoting public housing, renovating current stock, and recovering viable structures. However, in a limited-territory island, prioritising the use of what’s already built is essential,” concluded García.
