What was agreed at Plaza de Argual?

The organisers say the meeting came about because of the gap between housing prices and real wages. They also complain of a clear shortage of homes for permanent residential use.

The assembly’s immediate aim is to develop shared demands and options for action for 11 November 2026. The report checked did not set out further specific demands, strike arrangements or binding measures by the authorities.

What figures does the movement give for the housing shortage?

The organisers say the island has now reached more than 2,200 holiday lets. Only 2.1% of homes are public or protected.

The movement does not only point to difficulties for tenants. Businesses also struggle to find staff because workers cannot find affordable housing.

People have also left the island or chosen not to return because they cannot find an affordable home. Local retail suffers because families have less money to spend after paying high rents.

What state help exists for people affected by the volcano?

The Instituto Canario de la Vivienda continues to provide emergency rental help to households whose usual home was completely destroyed or made uninhabitable by the volcanic eruption on La Palma. The support can generally run for a maximum of 36 months and may be extended where appropriate.

For households that previously rented, the aid can cover the difference between the old rent and the new rent.

For first applications under the amended rules, an eligible period of no more than 12 months without extension generally applies. The start date can be recognised as 1 January 2025.

The 2026 budget set aside €600,000.00 for this. This help is aimed at households affected by the eruption, not generally at all residents, expats or visitors.

What does this mean for residents and expats?

For the affected population, the founding initially provides a political and neighbourhood organising platform. It did not create a new rent rule, price cap, access restriction or closure.

The sources checked show no new general application window and no special rule for foreign residents or tourists. Anyone not affected by the volcanic eruption has no new entitlements from the assembly for now.

A Canary Islands rule on affordable, incentivised housing provides for private rented homes used as a permanent residence. Tenants must generally have lived in a Canary Islands municipality for at least four years.

The maximum rent is the relevant private social housing rent plus 20%. This rule applies across the Canary Islands and is independent of the new assembly on La Palma.

What is known about the general strike on 11 November?

The Argual assembly wants to develop shared demands and options for action for 11 November 2026. The exact format of the general strike was not set out in the report checked.

Participants came from different age groups and countries of origin. They met at Plaza de Argual in Los Llanos de Aridane, and no entry fee was planned.

What is still open?

The final composition and spokespeople of the assembly have not yet been confirmed. Specific political demands were also not named in the report.

Possible reactions from the island government, municipalities or the Canary Islands government also remain open. The organisers had not announced a date for further meetings by Friday.