The issue was the focus of a debate by the House Audit Committee on the 2022 report of the Court of Auditors. It highlighted several instances in which the plan's criteria were either violated or applied inconsistently.

Following the meeting, the chairman of the House of Representatives' audit committee and deputy from Diko, Zacharias Koulias, expressed concerns about the irregularities in the system. He explained that the Ministry of the Interior had been asked to clarify whether these violations were justified or whether exceptions had been made.

"Granted, this program has supported many generations of families in need," he said. 

"However, with housing affordability becoming increasingly poor, it is critical to reevaluate the way land is allocated."

Koulias stressed that a comprehensive housing program must be presented within three months, noting that the Prosecutor General's Office is currently considering proposed changes to the eligibility criteria of the plan.

He also called on the Minister of the Interior and his Director-General to appear before the committee and outline the government's broader housing policy. One of the key recommendations was to increase building heights to maximise urban land use while protecting rural areas.

"In view of the severity of the housing crisis, this measure must be taken urgently," he said.

Disy MP Savia Orphanidou shared these concerns, warning that there are significant challenges in implementing the plan.

"The most important thing is to revise the plan as soon as possible so that it can really help tackle the housing crisis," she said, adding that legal reviews are already underway.

She criticized the government's actions, arguing that the crisis could not be overcome without more decisive measures. 

"Despite various measures, the crisis continues to worsen," she warned.

Orphanidou called on the government to prioritise housing policy over spending on non-public budgets. He argued that funds should be redirected to solutions that directly address the problem.

Akel MP Christos Christofides took a more assertive stance and expressed frustration at the lack of clear guidelines. He warned that the lack of strict criteria had led to selective or even arbitrary decisions.

"When the rules are unclear, there is always a risk of mismanagement, whether due to good intentions, social sensitivity or, in some cases, personal interests," he said.

He called on the Council of Ministers to clarify the regulations and ensure that they are strictly followed by the provincial administrations.

Independent MP Alexandra Attalides also stressed the importance of fair and transparent procedures, warning that due to the current lack of control, many vulnerable families do not have access to housing.

"Stronger controls and clearer rules will give real hope to beneficiaries," she said. 

"We need to act now to strengthen social cohesion and prevent even more families from falling below the poverty line."


In Cyprus, there are government programs to support low-income families, especially in the area of housing. The Ministry of the Interior offers various initiatives, including:

For detailed information on these programmes and the application procedures, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Cyprus Ministry of Interior or to contact the relevant authorities directly.