Santa Cruz de Tenerife Takes Action Against Rising Homelessness Challenges

The City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is proactively addressing the growing homelessness crisis that has increasingly affected the municipality. As the situation escalates, city officials are implementing new strategies to enhance support for vulnerable populations.

Engagement with Local Business Community

In a significant meeting held recently, city officials convened with representatives from the local commercial and restaurant sectors to discuss the urgent need for assistance for homeless individuals. The meeting, chaired by Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez, featured contributions from key figures such as First Deputy Mayor Carlos Tarife and Councillor for Social Policies Charín González. Approximately fifty professionals attended the gathering, highlighting the community’s commitment to tackling this pressing issue.

During the discussions, the necessity for an increased police presence was underscored. This decision comes in light of the growing demand for municipal resources dedicated to supporting the homeless, which are becoming increasingly strained. The collaboration between city officials and local businesses aims to foster a more effective response to the challenges posed by homelessness.

Significant Financial Investment in Support Services

Mayor Bermúdez emphasized that Santa Cruz de Tenerife allocates over four million euros annually to support services for homeless individuals, making it the municipality with the highest budget for this purpose in the Canary Islands. This substantial financial commitment underscores the city’s dedication to addressing homelessness comprehensively. Recently, the City Council has also outsourced its homelessness support service for a total of €13.5 million over three years, with the possibility of extending the contract for an additional two years.

Despite these considerable efforts, the Mayor pointed out that the responsibility of addressing homelessness cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the city. He stressed the importance of other governmental bodies stepping up to share the burden, as homelessness is a regional issue that necessitates a collaborative approach. The Mayor also indicated that the City Council would continue to advocate for a coordinated response, including reaching out to the Parliamentary Ombudsman to ensure adherence to the Social Services and Dependency Law.

Urgent Need for Broader Institutional Involvement

Councillor González highlighted the critical need for the General Directorate of Health of the Canary Islands Government to allocate targeted resources for homeless individuals, particularly those grappling with mental health challenges. She urged the Social and Health Care Institute to expand the availability of social health beds across the island, emphasizing that this need extends beyond the capital city.

During the discussions, it became evident that other municipalities must also engage in addressing homelessness and refrain from redirecting homeless individuals to Santa Cruz, which is nearing its capacity limits. Both the City Council and local businesses stressed the necessity for a unified approach involving the Canary Islands Government, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and neighboring municipalities to effectively tackle this issue.

Concerns regarding civic coexistence in certain areas of the city were raised by representatives from the commercial and restaurant sectors. In response to these concerns, it was agreed that enhancing the presence of the Local Police would be a priority. Additionally, improving communication channels between law enforcement and business owners is essential to ensure respectful and effective action towards all citizens, fostering a harmonious community environment.

The City Council remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining open dialogue with various social and economic sectors. Ongoing meetings with the Cabildo, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and law enforcement agencies are part of a broader strategy to ensure the effective implementation of the Dependency Law and to address the pressing issue of homelessness in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Key points

• The City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is increasing police presence to address rising homelessness.
• A meeting included local business representatives and city officials, emphasizing the need for collaboration.
• Santa Cruz allocates over four million euros annually for homeless support services.
• The City Council has outsourced homelessness support services for €13.5 million over three years.
• Calls were made for other municipalities to take responsibility and not redirect homeless individuals to Santa Cruz.
• Concerns were raised about civic coexistence, prompting plans to enhance Local Police presence.
• The City Council is committed to ongoing dialogue with various sectors to address homelessness effectively.