The construction of at least five more apartment buildings will begin within the first half of 2025, within the framework of the "Build" Plan.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Interior states that the "KtiZO" Project is part of the state's refugee housing policy and has been a priority of the Government since the first moment of assuming governance of the country.
It notes that, despite the complexity and difficulties that were known from the beginning to arise, the sole goal was to definitively resolve an issue that has plagued the displaced for decades and affects their right to safe and decent housing.
It also states that the Department of Urban Planning and Housing (DUP) is implementing the Plan in three phases, with a completion schedule of 10 years and a total budget of €131 million, to address the problems faced by a total of 345 apartment buildings in government housing settlements for displaced persons, throughout Cyprus.
"The Plan, despite the delays that have occurred, due to obstacles that could not have been foreseen before its launch, is on the path of implementation, at a different stage for each group of beneficiaries, even though the starting point for all was the same in time. In two cases, the procedures by the beneficiaries ran faster and the construction of the new apartment buildings has already begun," he adds.
He also notes that in at least five other cases, construction is expected to begin within the first half of this year.
"Otherwise, due to insufficient coordination between beneficiaries, the process is in its initial stages. With the aim of providing continuous support and guidance to beneficiary groups, the TPO has taken a series of actions," he adds.
Indicatively, the announcement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs mentions the operation of a call center in the Department, the on-site visit of TPO officers to apartment buildings to inform residents, the granting of a rent and moving allowance and the securing of storage spaces, the hundreds of meetings with beneficiaries at various stages of the project's implementation, the coverage of the employment amount of private consultants who assumed responsibility for coordination, and the hiring of a lawyer to resolve legal and inheritance issues.
At the same time, the Department frequently holds meetings with other State Services and Departments involved in the process, to resolve issues that arise along the way, it is reported.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also notes that the efforts made by the TPO officials to overcome any legal, technical and other difficulties that arise are continuous.
"The "KtiZO" Project is a huge and demanding undertaking, which we are determined to implement, supporting the refugee community until the reunification of our country and the restoration of our properties in our occupied villages," he concludes.
Source: KYPE
