Leaks, cracks, and subsidence threaten the blocks on Gobernador Martín street, where residents are calling for urgent intervention from the City Council.
The homes on Gobernador Martín street, in the capital neighbourhood of San Francisco, are in a critical state of disrepair. Residents report that cracks in walls and floors, leaks of sewage, and subsidence endanger their safety. Natanael Araña Ramos bought his flat nine years ago and soon discovered that the pillars were 'practically without rebar'.
The poor condition of the buildings is not new, but the lack of substantial action has worsened the situation. According to Araña, the only repairs have been made by the residents themselves using their own resources. 'I had to shore it up, put in rebar and concrete,' he explains, although he warns that these minor works will not stop the overall deterioration. One neighbour suffered an 80-centimetre subsidence in her flat, and the only response from the City Council was to send a drain cleaner.
A forgotten neighbourhood
San Francisco is one of the oldest areas of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with an ageing housing stock and an elderly population. Many residents are elderly or have reduced mobility, which increases the risk in the event of a collapse. The uncertainty is constant, according to the neighbours, who do not know how much longer they will be able to continue living in their homes. 'We don't know how much longer we will be here,' laments Araña.
The problem is particularly concentrated in the lateral stretch of the slope, between numbers 25 and 57 on Gobernador Martín street. There, the structures are partially exposed, with rusty metal reinforcements and detached cladding. Moisture and significant cracks are visible from the street, and residents fear that a collapse is just a matter of time.
The PP calls for an urgent replacement plan
The municipal group of the Popular Party has submitted a letter to the local government to report the situation. In the document, the party requests the preparation of a technical report to assess the condition of the buildings and evaluate the need to relocate the most affected families. They also ask for the implementation of a replacement plan in the neighbourhood while urgent measures are adopted.
The letter details the structural problems: cracks, moisture, deteriorated facades, and rusty reinforcements. The party warns that degradation is advancing and that the safety of the residents is at stake. The City Council has not yet responded to the request, and residents are hoping for an intervention that does not come too late.
In the background remains the question of how long these homes can hold out without comprehensive repairs. In the meantime, the residents of San Francisco continue to live with fear and uncertainty, hoping that the authorities will take action before a tragedy occurs.
You may also like
