Oscar Noda, a councillor in Lanzarote’s Mixed Group, has called on the Canary Islands government to take decisive action regarding two key housing projects in Playa Blanca. He highlighted ongoing delays in the construction of 136 public homes in Montaña Roja and the allocation of 42 completed homes in Los Ajaches, which have been stuck in limbo.
“Playa Blanca doesn’t need more promises, meetings, or photos. It needs construction, allocations, and keys,” Noda stated, urging for transparency in timelines and funding.
During a recent plenary session, Noda presented a motion reinforcing a unanimous decision from June 25, where the Cabildo backed the request for funding under the State Housing Plan for 2026-2030. He emphasized that political agreements must translate into tangible results for struggling families in need of housing.
The local council had transferred approximately 42,000 square metres of public land for the Montaña Roja project, initially announced for 126 homes but later expanded to 136 affordable units. The total investment is around €34 million, with 300 people on the waiting list for protected rental housing.
Noda stressed, “The council has done its part; the land is ready, and the project is funded. What we need now is for the Canary Islands government to start the bidding process to address this urgent social need.”
His motion also demands an immediate allocation of the 42 homes in Los Ajaches, purchased by the Cabildo in January 2025 with support from the Canary Housing Institute (ICAVI). Although these homes were supposed to be allocated by summer, the process remains stalled.
“It’s unacceptable to have completed public housing sitting empty while many families wait. Bureaucratic delays cannot continue to deny access to 42 families,” Noda added.
The State Housing Plan for 2026-2030 allocates €371 million to the Canary Islands, with €42 million earmarked for next year alone. Noda insists that Playa Blanca should be prioritised in funding and project execution, given the ready land and documented demand.
He proposed that the bidding for the 136 homes should be published within 60 days and called for a detailed schedule from the Canary government within 30 days. Additionally, he insisted that ICAVI must expedite the allocation of the 42 homes within a month, aiming for completion within three months unless legally or technically impeded.
Noda concluded that housing should be treated as a genuine priority, saying, “When land, project, funding, and social need align, further delays cease to be technical issues and reflect a lack of will to act. Yaiza and Lanzarote have waited long enough; the measure of housing policy should be the actual construction and keys handed over.”
