The Greek government has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing the housing crisis facing vulnerable households in the city. The home renovation program, funded by the Greece 2.0 National Recovery and Resilience Plan, will provide subsidies to property owners who agree to renovate their vacant or underused homes for rental to families in need.
Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Sofia Zacharaki emphasized the government's commitment to social housing, stating, "Reducing inequalities, fostering social cohesion, and supporting vulnerable households are essential elements of our development agenda. Social housing is a key pillar of our housing policy, with nearly 5 billion euros allocated by the end of 2025."
Under the program, property owners can receive subsidies of up to €10,055 to renovate their homes. In exchange, they must agree to rent the properties to households facing severe housing issues for at least four years.
The program is being implemented in partnership with the Municipality of Athens and is expected to benefit 70 families. Applications for the program can be submitted online at athenskatoikia.gr until January 31, 2025.
The initiative is seen as a significant step towards addressing the housing crisis in Athens, where many families struggle to find affordable and adequate housing. By incentivizing property owners to renovate their homes, the program aims to increase the availability of affordable rental housing and provide much-needed support to vulnerable households.