The Government welcomes the European Affordable Housing Plan

The Government of Cyprus welcomes the adoption of the European Affordable Housing Plan and is ready to assist in defining the next steps for its implementation during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union over the next six months, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou stated on December 17, 2025.

According to him, the adoption of the first European Affordable Housing Plan is the result of months of coordinated work at the level of the European Union. Through this plan, the European Commission seeks to address one of the most pressing needs of millions of citizens — access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing.

Ioannou noted that the plan is based on four main pillars, which affect citizens differently across various member states. Among the priorities are increasing the supply of housing through enhanced productivity and innovation, as well as implementing reforms to simplify permitting procedures, which are already being applied in Cyprus.

In addition, the plan provides for the mobilization of investments through the creation of a pan-European investment platform to attract funds into the housing sector and to develop innovative financial instruments. The document also proposes solutions for regulating short-term rentals and measures to support population groups facing the greatest difficulties in securing housing.

The Minister emphasized that, based on the principles of “Housing First,” the housing policies currently in place in Cyprus can serve as proposals in the development of specific measures aimed at alleviating the problem for young people and citizens with low and middle incomes.