Court halts eviction of 70-year-old cancer patient in south Tenerife

A court has stopped the eviction of a 70-year-old man with cancer in Guaza, in the south Tenerife municipality, a day before it was due to take place.

The eviction was scheduled for today, Thursday 22nd October. A decision issued yesterday suspended it and opened a separate assessment of the vulnerability raised by his legal representative.

His circumstances must now be examined before another eviction date can be set. The suspension provides a temporary reprieve, but does not resolve his long-term housing situation.

The man lives in an industrial property that the court recognised as his habitual home since 2016. His only income is Spain’s minimum-income benefit, the Ingreso Mínimo Vital.

Suitable accommodation still needed

Arona’s social services have been involved since May and have submitted reports documenting his vulnerability.

However, the council considers his current accommodation unsuitable for someone undergoing cancer treatment. He is awaiting surgery for prostate cancer and still has no alternative accommodation allocated.

The preferred option has been a place in accommodation for people recovering from illness, managed through Tenerife’s island social-care body, the IASS.