Record Budget for Public Works and Housing
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing is the primary investment engine for the Canary Islands Autonomous Community. For 2026, the department, led by Pablo Rodríguez, has a total budget of €523.2 million. A substantial €141.3 million is allocated to begin construction on 2,795 public housing units, while a further €215 million is dedicated to a road infrastructure agreement.
Unprecedented Investment in Affordable Housing
Presenting his budget proposal in Parliament, Councillor Rodríguez emphasized that the investment effort to combat the housing emergency has increased by 45.4% compared to 2025. The Canary Islands Housing Institute (Icavi) will receive €197.4 million—a 15% increase—and the public company Visocan is allocated €80.9 million. “These are the largest funds in the history of the Autonomous Community for Icavi,” Rodríguez stated.
New Social Housing Distribution Across the Islands
This funding is intended to significantly expand the public stock of social and affordable housing. The planned distribution of new properties across the seven main islands is as follows: 1,037 in Tenerife, 871 in Gran Canaria, 429 in Lanzarote, 240 in La Palma, 176 in Fuerteventura, 28 in El Hierro, and 14 in La Gomera.
Additional Support for Homebuyers and Tenants
Beyond the core housing and road investments, the budget includes several other key measures. An additional €3 million is designated for the “Young Mortgage” program, and €39.6 million is set aside for various subsidies, including rental assistance, support for young people buying their first home, and initiatives to combat rural depopulation.
A substantial package of tax deductions is also aimed at helping residents acquire their primary residence. This includes reductions in the Canary Islands General Indirect Tax (IGIC) and the Property Transfer Tax (ITP). The eligibility criteria have been expanded, raising the maximum age to 40 and increasing the maximum income threshold to €46,455. The maximum property value for these benefits has also been raised to €200,000.
Opposition Criticism of the Budget Plan
Despite these ambitious figures, the plan faced criticism from opposition groups (PSOE, NC-Bc, and Vox). They described the accounts as “disappointing” and claimed they were built on “improvisation.” The opposition argued that the budget does not clearly address the housing emergency or the archipelago’s mobility problems. They accused the councillor of “incompetence,” alleging that his “failure to manage” the road agreement forces it to be “reprogrammed year after year.” (TO BE EXPANDED)
