Paphos: Addressing the housing crisis through coordinated European action and increased supply of affordable homes is a key priority of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Permanent Committee on Cadastre conference and the plenary meeting in Paphos, Ioannou stressed that housing has become one of the most pressing social, economic, and political challenges across the EU.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ioannou emphasized that access to affordable, adequate, and sustainable housing is essential not only as a social right but also as a prerequisite for social cohesion, economic stability, and public trust in institutions. He highlighted issues such as rising property prices and rents, increased construction and energy costs, limited access to financing, and persistent supply shortages, which have together created a complex crisis affecting particularly young people, low- and middle-income households, and vulnerable groups.
Ioannou welcomed the European Commission's European Affordable Housing Plan, calling it a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive framework to address housing affordability. The plan focuses on boosting supply, mobilizing investment, and supporting vulnerable groups. He noted that the Cyprus Presidency fully supports the initiative and aims to advance it through dialogue and consensus-building among member states, with the objective of delivering concrete and implementable solutions.
Outlining the Presidency's priorities, Ioannou highlighted four key areas: ensuring access to affordable, adequate, and sustainable housing for all, with an emphasis on young people and vulnerable groups; strengthening investment in the housing sector by mobilizing public and private resources, improving the use of EU funding tools, and developing innovative financial instruments; increasing housing supply through new construction, renovation of existing buildings, and better utilization of underused properties, supported by modern technologies and sustainable practices; and enhancing the collection and use of reliable data and promoting the exchange of best practices among member states.
Ioannou underscored the critical role of land registry and cadastral systems in housing policy, noting that transparent property markets, clear ownership structures, and accessible, high-quality land data are essential. He stated that without reliable land information and efficient land administration systems, housing development cannot proceed effectively. These systems also support faster planning and permitting processes, improve transparency for investors and citizens, and contribute to sustainable urban development.
The minister stressed that tackling the housing crisis requires political will, coordinated action, and the right policy tools, reaffirming the Cyprus Presidency's commitment to working with EU institutions, member states, and stakeholders to achieve tangible progress. The two-day meeting in Paphos brings together key actors in land governance and spatial data, aiming to contribute to policy discussions and share best practices across Europe.