In an unexpected turn of events, the Las Palmas Provincial Court has reversed a previous decision to evict almost 100 people, including 24 children, from unfinished homes on Calle Cyca in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, after they were evicted.
The ruling came after the court found issues with the initial order in January, that pushed these families out on to the street.
The evicted residents challenged an October 2023 court decision that set their eviction for the end of that month. Despite the setback, the eviction was enforced in January after several attempts, leaving some families without homes and others relying on friends for shelter.
These unfinished homes, intended to be a 67-unit development, had become a haven for families caught in the island’s housing crisis. The court found fault with the eviction order, noting it didn't specifically identify who was being evicted, despite clear evidence of long-term occupancy.
The court argued that eviction decisions should be backed by solid evidence and not just serve as a shortcut to a final judgment. It described the eviction as "disproportionate and premature lacking necessary legal backing”.
Interestingly, the court revealed that the property owner had purchased the plot in late 2022, fully aware that it was already occupied. These families had already been living there, even making improvements like installing doors, windows, and utilities to make the place liveable.
The court suggested that the owner used criminal proceedings instead of civil ones to reclaim the property, which they found inappropriate. They emphasized that such actions should not misuse criminal law for civil eviction purposes.
Additionally, the court pointed out that maintaining safety in the unfinished complex is the owner's responsibility, or the City Council's, not the residents. The eviction was justified by citing safety concerns, but the court found this to be contradictory.
A poignant sign from the evictees on the day of eviction read, "Leaving us homeless also violates the family," highlighting the emotional toll of the legal proceedings.
