Nuria Cabrera Defends Housing Planning and Rigor in Public Management

Nuria Cabrera, the local secretary of the Canarian Coalition in Puerto del Rosario and spokesperson for the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, has argued that politicians must “assume responsibility and not chase headlines” in the island’s current political climate, especially on sensitive issues such as housing and employment.

In an opinion piece published on Monday, 2 March, Cabrera maintains that public administration should be based on “rigor, coherence and budgetary responsibility,” rejecting proposals that lack technical backing or financial viability.

Housing: Planning Versus Unsubstantiated Proposals

Cabrera explains that her party’s opposition to the recent debate over using FDCAN funds for new housing does not stem from a rejection of housing development, but from the technical infeasibility of the specific proposal.

She reminds readers that the Canary Islands Development Fund is managed by the regional government and that the €19 million the Cabildo receives annually is already earmarked for essential island infrastructure. Redirecting these funds, she argues, would divert resources from already‑planned projects.

As an alternative, the Cabildo has chosen to allocate its own resources to assist municipalities in building and refurbishing homes. More than €50 million of the island’s budget is currently tied to housing policies in cooperation with municipalities such as Puerto del Rosario, La Oliva and Pájara.

Cabrera also stresses that the housing problem is structural, requiring coordination among administrations, municipal land availability, regional support, and the effective use of European funds.

Employment Plans and Legal Certainty

On employment, Cabrera defends the operation of social employment plans, noting that criteria are set by the Canary Islands Employment Authority (FECAM) and applied by municipal technical services together with the Canary Employment Service.

Regarding the Alternating Training and Employment Programs (PFAE), she points out that a recent national regulatory change created a legal issue that prevented the continuation of the previous hiring system for teaching staff. Continuing without legal certainty, she explains, would have posed a greater risk to the administration.

Call for Institutional Responsibility

In her concluding remarks, Cabrera calls for a politics focused on management and institutional cooperation rather than perpetual confrontation. She asserts that citizens expect solutions and stability, especially given the structural challenges facing Fuerteventura.

“The public expects us to deliver solutions and stability, not endless political battles,” she says.

The island’s spokesperson concludes that her responsibility lies in keeping the focus on daily management, medium‑term planning, and inter‑administrative dialogue to address key issues such as housing, employment, and overall island development.