The housing problem is undoubtedly one of the most important issues that plague citizens, and especially the younger generations, today. The cost of acquiring or even renting a home, due to many different factors, has skyrocketed, making it an elusive dream for most.
It is precisely for this reason that we follow with particular concern and concern the information recorded in the press, about obstructions and/or obstacles placed in relation to the construction of a project in Limassol that aims to house 600 vulnerable families from low income strata in the areas where the outdated and under demolition workers' apartment buildings in Agios Nikolaos and Agios Ioannis are located today.
The project has been discussed for several years, it is already at a mature stage, however, its implementation has not yet progressed on the part of the government. With the prevailing conditions, which have made the acquisition or rental of a roof extremely difficult to impossible, it is unthinkable that projects like the one in Limassol are put on ice. The implementation of the project is an imperative for the local community.
We consider it an obligation of the state towards its citizens, to proceed, in a targeted manner, to increase the supply of residential units that serve the needs of the demand and the citizens, particularly in areas where there is real need. It's not meant for people to be forced to move out of their city because they can't afford the rent accuracy or go ahead with buying an apartment/house.
It is ETEK's belief that the housing problem should receive a holistic approach, as it is a multidimensional problem that clearly cannot be solved overnight. The creation of a Central Agency that will plan, coordinate and control the issues related to the state housing policy is now an urgent need. However, in this particular case, the state should immediately provide all the necessary support to the Cyprus Land Development Organization, so that it can fulfill its social role.
ETEK, as is known, prepared a package of measures for the affordable housing which he submitted to the competent Minister. Our proposals, in addition to the upgrading and utilization of our building stock that is in disuse, include specific measures that focus on three pillars:
1. Strengthening the offer of housing products aimed at the average household, with an emphasis on the utilization of existing housing stock
2. Targeted, economic strengthening of demand (after serious efforts to strengthen supply)
3. Reduction of construction costs
With the aim of the successful outcome of this effort, the cooperation of the state and the private sector is considered indispensable. The measures proposed by the Chamber, among others, include the recommendation to grant targeted urban development incentives to land development entrepreneurs, without of course altering the urban character of the area. In this way, the private sector will be encouraged to build a large number of residential units either for purchase or rental purposes.
In this regard, it is worth noting that specific government policies promoted in previous years (such as headquarters, the attraction of business activity in Cyprus, tax exemptions for executives, the program to stay in the Republic against the purchase of real estate, etc.) contributed to development, offering significant financial resources to the state, and inevitably, they have a share of responsibility for the current state of the housing problem in Cyprus. In a period of housing crisis, like the one we are going through, the minimum the state has to do is to contribute (by strengthening the supply of affordable housing). Quite rightly, a significant part of Cypriot society, especially in Limassol, expects decisive intervention from the state in this particular issue, as it is already at its limits.
In conclusion, the state should proceed immediately and decisively with the project in Limassol which will be an essential relief solution for hundreds of families. ETEK has made the issue of affordable housing one of its priorities and will intervene where and where it deems necessary with recommendations and measures, within the framework of its responsibilities. The roof is one of the most basic goods and must be treated as such.
Konstantinos Constantis
President of ETEK
