INTERIOR Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis yesterday pledged increased housing benefits from next month, based on the new housing policy which was approved by the Cabinet
The new policy includes the revision of the grants and loans agreed under the National Housing Plan, as well as rent subsidies for the displaced and others eligible.
Regarding benefits for persons displaced in 1974, the Minister announced that existing financial aid for the purchase of an apartment or house would increase from €19,735 on average to approximately €53,100 and may reach up to €68,000. Sylikiotis said that “this increase amounts to the increase for which the government had committed itself before the elections”.
The aid for people building their own house in a privately-owned plot increases from €19,735 on average to €53,100 and up to €68,350, and to build your own home in a government owned plot the financial aid is increased from €18,146 on average at €26,900 and reaches up to €31,610.
The income criteria for those eligible rises by 30 per cent and at the same time the deduction for every dependant increases from €1,025 to €1,280. Sylikiotis said that “along with the increase in aid, an effort has been made to obtain and give the plots to all the people that qualify for the scheme of building their own house”.
The Minister admitted that in previous years, there were delays particularly in the Limassol and Paphos districts and he said that in a few days plots in Ypsoupoli would be handed over.
For housing in a government estate, the income criteria is increased by 33 per cent – from €15,380 to €20,500 – while for the first time, a deduction of €1,280 is given to every dependant. Sylikiotis also said that “families that do not have children will be eligible to live in government estates”.
Regarding the rent subsidy plan for the displaced and others who are eligible, the Minister said that the rent that is granted according to the plan is increased by 5 per cent and the annual net income by 10 per cent.
The Interior Minister also explained the revised Housing Plan directed at small communities with less than 500 residents and for communities away from urban centres.
The loan for the purchase or construction of a house or apartment is increased on average by 27.5 per cent up to a maximum of €102,517 and the grant is increased from €13,669 to €17,087. This housing plan is not means tested and its interest rate is subsidised by two thirds.
The National Plan also increases grants for families with a disabled member and large families. For the improvement and maintenance or expansion of privately-owned property, the loan is increased from €10,252 to €17,087 and the grant is increased from €6,835 to €8,543.
“I strongly believe that these measures serve our main objective that is none other than the creation of a more just society,” said Sylikiotis. “We commit ourselves to continue working consequently, systematically and with determination especially for the solution of housing problems.”
