Lanzarote faces housing crisis; locals forced into vehicles

Residents of Lanzarote are facing a severe housing crisis as many are forced to live in their vehicles. This situation has arisen due to an increase in holiday rental flats that has driven up housing costs. A recent survey shows that housing is the top concern for locals on the popular holiday island. In just four years, the average price of housing has surged by 40%. It has risen from €1,878 to €2,655 per square meter. This sharp increase has made it difficult for many, including workers and small business owners, to afford rent or mortgages. One local small business owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, highlights the problem. He operates a party and events company and earns €1,600 a month, which is not enough to rent a place. He shared that available rentals start at €1,200. After spending a month in a holiday home, he bought a van and converted it into a living space. The van now includes a kitchen and shower. He has been living in a car park for six months. The number of holiday rentals has also surged significantly. Currently, Lanzarote boasts 36,384 tourist spots, up from 25,000 four years ago. In 2024, the island experienced a record-breaking 3.2 million tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, the last social housing development was built in 1994. Locals feel that the focus on tourist rentals is unfair and detrimental to their community.