Cyprus’ Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, outlined the country’s comprehensive housing policy during the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) meeting on Affordable and Sustainable Housing taking place on Wednesday, at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva.
The Ministerial meeting is attended by UNECE Director-General, Ministers and officials from the countries of the UN region of Europe, a press release issued by the Ministry said.
The focus was on the challenges and strategic priorities for affordability and sustainability of housing. Strategic policies and actions implemented by the member states were presented, with the aim of safeguardingg citizens’ access to affordable and sustainable housing options, the press release added.
In his intervention Ioannou said, among other things, that the economic, social and environmental crises of recent years further intensified the challenges of states for affordable housing, adding that most states are faced with rising housing costs, a lack of affordable housing supply and a widening gap between household incomes and market prices.
Regarding housing projects in Cyprus, the Minister said that the increasing construction costs, the limited housing stock and the difficulty of financing faced by citizens belonging mainly to the middle and low-income class, intensified the housing problem. He added that government policy incorporates targeted plans, based on increasing the housing stock and facilitating citizens’ access to housing.
He referred in detail to the Urban Incentives plans, the ‘Build to Rent’ and the ‘Renovate-Rent’ Plan.
He added that the measures that have been adopted include the introduction of faster licensing procedures, with a reduction in the time for examining and issuing urban and building permits, targeted support measures for young people and young families up to 41 years of age, as well as special housing plans to support rural and mountainous areas.
He also conveyed Cyprus’ commitment to addressing the housing challenge, stressing that affordable housing will be a priority of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the Commitments text for the implementation of actions to ensure affordable and sustainable housing options, the press release noted.