# Canary Islands sociosanitary service expansions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canary-islands-sociosanitary-service-expansions
> Updated: 2026-09-04T04:44:42.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

The Canary Islands are implementing various sociosanitary initiatives to support vulnerable populations. In August 2026, reports highlighted infrastructure expansions for the elderly, including a 945,000 euro residential center in El Paso, La Palma, and a planned 15.3 million euro facility in Gran Tarajal, Fuerteventura, intended to provide 90 total places for residents and day-care users by early 2027.

Simultaneously, the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) has focused on mobile healthcare for homeless populations. The ‘Mejora’ project in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, launched in November 2025 in collaboration with Fundación Canaria Yrichen, utilizes multidisciplinary teams and mobile units to provide mental health and addiction support. This follows the June 2026 launch of ‘Proyecto puentes en salud’ in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which emphasizes harm reduction and gender-sensitive accompaniment.

However, reports presented to the Parliament of the Canary Islands by ADSPC and Intersindical Canaria highlight significant regional disparities and service shortages. While Tenerife and Gran Canaria each have over 400 residential mental health spots, islands such as La Gomera and El Hierro have none. This lack of stable housing or long-term recovery environments contributes to a ‘revolving door’ phenomenon of repeated acute unit readmissions. Additionally, while the SCS has increased staff since 2022, the primary care psychological services program is only 50% implemented, leaving patients facing wait times of up to two and a half months in populated areas.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Canary Islands face mental health service shortages and regional inequality

Mental health services in the Canary Islands face critical shortages in residential placements and rising demand in primary care, leading to significant regional inequalities and long waiting lists.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canary-islands-face-mental-health-service-shortages-and-regional-inequality

### 2026-08-22: Canary Islands launches healthcare project for homeless populations

The Canary Islands Health Service has launched the ‘Mejora’ project to provide specialized mental health and addiction care to sixty homeless individuals in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canary-islands-launches-healthcare-project-for-homeless-populations

### 2026-08-10: Canary Islands expand elderly care infrastructure

Canary Islands authorities are investing in new elderly care facilities, including a 12-place center in El Paso and a 90-place sociosanitary residence in Gran Tarajal.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canary-islands-expand-elderly-care-infrastructure

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Cite as: Canary Islands sociosanitary service expansions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canary-islands-sociosanitary-service-expansions