Minister of the Interior Constantinos Ioannou has emphasised the need for immediate and coordinated European action to address the housing crisis.
He was making statements in Brussels on the sidelines of the EPSCO Council meeting on housing issues on 1 December.
The Minister stressed that the lack of affordable housing has now become a "crisis affecting all of Europe," warning that if not addressed in time, it "will pose a threat to social cohesion and the very fabric of society." He referred to the results of the Danish Presidency presented to the ministers of the 27 member states, noting that these results were "useful and will form the basis for our own policies, as we take over the presidency for the next six months on housing policy issues."
Ioannou welcomed the European Commission's commitment to present the European Affordable Housing Plan in December and expressed appreciation for the work of the Danish Presidency, noting that Cyprus will build upon the conclusions already reached. "Like my counterparts, I look forward to the publication of the Commission's proposal in December on affordable housing issues."
"I have informed my colleagues that for Cyprus, during our Presidency, housing, particularly affordable housing, will be a top priority," he stated, adding that "our goal is for the Presidency to act as a catalyst in developing and shaping a strategy for a cohesive European Affordable Housing Plan."
Finally, the Minister briefed the Council on Cyprus's priorities regarding housing policy, which include financial tools and direct involvement of the private sector in affordable housing, increasing the housing stock, reactivating dormant residential or even commercial units - an issue that concerns almost all EU countries - and creating a platform for exchanging best practices, which currently does not exist, focusing on practices that can be implemented.
(Source: CNA)
