Canary Islands face housing shortages and water scarcity

The Canary Islands are facing significant structural challenges regarding housing and natural resources. The region suffers from a housing deficit where available land is becoming increasingly scarce. This issue is compounded by a market divide between local families seeking primary residences and foreign demand for second homes, which often competes for the same land with higher purchasing power.

Simultaneously, Tenerife is experiencing critical water stress. A report by the Renewable Foundation warns that the island's four main groundwater bodies are in poor quantitative condition. Water extraction has exceeded the natural recharge capacity of aquifers due to the combined pressures of climate change, high agricultural demand, and tourism. Agriculture remains the largest consumer, accounting for nearly 50% of total water use in the archipelago, while tourism significantly spikes demand, with visitors consuming up to six times more water than local residents.