Canary Islands Cabildos Plan Joint Student Housing Initiative

Cabildo president Casimiro Curbelo of La Gomera has proposed a coordinated strategy among the Canary Islands' cabildos to expand affordable student accommodation. The plan, to be discussed at an upcoming Federation of Canary Islands (FECAI) assembly, aims to increase the supply of university residences in Tenerife and Gran Canaria for students from the smaller islands – La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Options under consideration include constructing new residence halls, acquiring or refurbishing existing properties, and arranging placement agreements with existing centres.

Curbelo highlighted that rising rental costs and limited housing options are forcing families to shoulder significant extra expenses, which can hinder continuation of higher‑education studies. The initiative seeks to ensure a sufficient, economically accessible residential offering, reduce the financial burden on families, and promote equal educational opportunity and territorial cohesion across the archipelago.