Copenhagen: Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, focused on the pillars of the comprehensive housing policy implemented by the Republic of Cyprus over the last two years, during his intervention at the High-Level Conference on Affordable Housing, organised within the framework of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in Copenhagen, a press release issued by the Interior Ministry said.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ioannou elaborated on the two axes of Cyprus’ housing policy, namely the increase in the housing stock, with an emphasis on the production of affordable housing, and the strengthening of citizens’ purchasing power, especially of those who are socio-economically vulnerable.
The press release said that the participants welcomed the actions taken by the Republic of Cyprus to manage the housing problem in the country, taking note of the fact that they are in the right direction and in line with the pillars on which the European Union’s housing policy will be based.
Additionally, in his intervention, Ioannou underlined the need to find, at the European level, tools to finance citizens and enhance their access to affordable housing options. In this direction, the Cypriot Minister conveyed his country’s proposal for a different approach as regards the taxation related to affordable housing projects. This specific position was supported by the majority of those who attended the conference, the press release said.
Ioannou also referred to the political priorities that will be promoted in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 in relation to the issue of housing. He extended an invitation to his counterparts to attend the Informal Meeting to be held in Cyprus next May, at which the conclusions of the European Affordable Housing Plan will be examined while at the same time the roadmap for the integration of affordable housing into the Cohesion Policy for the period 2028-2035 will be defined.
The conference was held in the presence of the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, with the participation of Ministers and officials of the competent authorities of the member states, representatives of Local Government Authorities and representatives of EU institutions for housing, the press release said.