Coalición Canaria Betancuria proposes cutting ICIO to improve access to housing in the municipality

The municipal group of Asamblea Majorera-Coalición Canaria on Betancuria Town Council has tabled a motion to amend the bylaw governing the Construction, Installations and Works Tax (ICIO), with the aim of improving access to housing in the municipality.

The proposal calls for setting the tax rate at the lowest level permitted by law and applying the maximum possible tax relief to encourage the construction and renovation of homes.

The nationalist party says the initiative responds to the shortage of available housing, rising construction costs, administrative complexity and the economic pressures currently affecting rural areas.

Enrique Pérez, AM-CC’s spokesperson in Betancuria, said the municipality was facing “growing difficulties for young people, families and workers who wish to make their home” in the town.

Pérez said the aim was to offer “a real incentive” to anyone wishing to build or renovate homes for use as a permanent primary residence, in order to tackle the population decline affecting the municipality.

The motion proposes focusing tax relief in particular on work relating to primary residences, the restoration of traditional buildings, projects led by young residents, and work to improve accessibility and energy efficiency.

The initiative also proposes requesting municipal technical and economic reports to assess the economic and social impact of these measures and consider future complementary forms of housing support.

Coalición Canaria argues that the Town Council should make use of “all the fiscal instruments” available to encourage people to put down roots and support local economic development in the Historic Town.