Young people in San Sebastián de La Gomera give up on moving out due to a lack of affordable housing

The island capital, also expensive for its own residents

San Sebastián concentrates public services and jobs, attracting young people from other municipalities.

Rents that stay high despite a lack of buyers

Much of the housing stock in the historic centre belongs to families who never put it on the market.

Delayed independence and an exodus to Tenerife

Young Gomerans who study away from the island do not always return, due to a lack of affordable housing.

Support schemes that fall short of the structural problem

Young-renter support schemes run up against the lack of available housing that meets the requirements.

A capital that concentrates jobs and services

San Sebastián is home to the island's administrative headquarters, its main hospital and much of its administrative employment, which draws young people from other municipalities. This job supply is not matched by enough housing to absorb the demand. Finding a flat in the capital has become a long and disheartening process.

The historic housing stock, out of the rental market

Much of the housing in the old town belongs to families who keep it closed with no intention of renting or selling. This artificially shrinks the available supply despite the island's low demographic pressure. Persuading these owners to put their properties on the market proves almost impossible.

Tenerife, the destination for those who find no place to live

Many young Gomerans who study in Tenerife do not return once they finish their degree, partly because of the lack of affordable housing. This exodus worries local councils, who watch their youngest residents settle off the island. Some groups are calling for specific incentives to encourage them to return.

Support with no housing to apply it to

Young-renter support schemes require the property to meet habitability standards and be formally listed on the rental market. In La Gomera, the shortage of properties meeting these requirements leaves many applicants with the grant approved but no home to use it on. Council officials acknowledge that the problem is not the money, but the lack of real supply.