Campaigners are calling on the Canary Islands Government to declare high-pressure housing zones, arguing that this would unlock rent-control measures and strengthen protection for tenants as the islands' housing crisis continues.

The organisation Derecho al Techo says the regional government must implement provisions contained in Spain's Housing Law rather than relying solely on new measures being introduced by the national government.

The demand comes as around 50 people continue a protest camp in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where the number of tents has grown significantly since the demonstration began.

Campaigners plan to continue the protest ahead of further demonstrations and the parliamentary debate over the national housing measures.

What would declaring a high-pressure housing zone do?

The designation, known in Spanish legislation as a zona de mercado residencial tensionado, allows specific measures to be applied in areas where housing costs place particularly heavy pressure on household incomes.

These can include mechanisms designed to limit increases in rents, particularly when new rental contracts are signed, alongside additional measures intended to increase the availability of affordable housing.

Derecho al Techo argues that these provisions are particularly relevant in the Canary Islands, where rising rental prices and competition for housing have made finding affordable long-term accommodation increasingly difficult.

The organisation says several councils have sought the designation, including Las Palmas, but the Canary Islands currently has no areas formally operating under the high-pressure designation.

Campaigners say Canary Islands has missed out on €90 million funding

Derecho al Techo also claims that the failure to declare high-pressure housing zones has prevented the Canary Islands from accessing €90 million in state funding intended for territories using the designation.

Campaign spokesman Javier Marrero said the money could help return properties currently being used for tourism to the residential housing market.

New national housing measures

The dispute comes amid a wider national debate over two housing decrees approved by Spain's Council of Ministers.

One of the measures has become known as the “Maricarmen decree”, after the case of an elderly Madrid woman whose eviction generated widespread attention and renewed protests over housing.

The measures still face parliamentary scrutiny, with an extraordinary session of Congress expected to decide whether the decrees are validated.

Derecho al Techo argues that even if the new national measures are approved, their effectiveness in the Canary Islands will be restricted unless the regional government also uses the mechanisms available under existing housing legislation.

The group is calling for rent controls, more properties to be returned to residential use, an expansion of public housing and stronger protection for vulnerable people facing eviction.