**Akel Criticizes Government's Handling of Housing Crisis**
In a statement released on Thursday, the left-wing political party Akel expressed strong criticism regarding the ongoing housing crisis in Cyprus, likening the dispute between the government and the Democratic Rally (Disy) to “a dog chasing its tail.” The party argued that there is minimal policy differentiation between the two entities, both of which have been in power for the past 13 years, adhering to the same ineffective strategies.
Akel's remarks came in response to recent assurances from President Nikos Christodoulides regarding the government's approach to the housing crisis. The party contended that such assurances do not conceal the reality faced by many citizens, who are grappling with insufficient salaries and escalating rental costs. "The public is counting their salaries which are not enough, the rents which are not coming close, the dreams of housing which are being pushed away for thousands of people," Akel stated.
The party highlighted the severe impact of the housing crisis on workers and young people, many of whom are forced to allocate a significant portion of their income—often half—to secure housing. This financial strain has led to an increasing number of individuals either leaving urban centers or remaining in their parents' homes, unable to achieve independence.
Akel specifically pointed to Limassol as the most expensive city in Cyprus for housing, where renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center typically costs between €1,300 and €1,600 per month. The party asserted that the government's current policies have failed to mitigate the growing crisis, which they believe requires a more comprehensive and socially oriented strategy to address its root causes rather than merely its symptoms.
In response to the crisis, Akel has proposed several measures, including restricting the uncontrolled purchase of real estate by foreign investors and advocating for the mass production of affordable housing. The party suggested that affordable housing could be developed through partnerships between the state, local governments, and the private sector, alongside a significant enhancement of the Cyprus Land Development Corporation. They also called for greater utilization of state land for social housing and the creation of financial tools to assist young people in purchasing their first homes.
President Christodoulides, on the other hand, defended the government's housing policy through a social media post, asserting that the administration is implementing a concrete plan and strategy that is yielding tangible results, rather than relying on "slogans or wishful thinking." The Interior Ministry supported this claim, stating that its housing policy is grounded in technical and economic studies, collaboration with market stakeholders, and a commitment to maintaining economic stability. They noted a 45% increase in building density since the current government took office, with an expected addition of 2,500 new homes to the market in the coming years.
Disy has also voiced concerns over the government's handling of the housing crisis, arguing that the current policies have not effectively addressed the issue of affordability in the property market, and that the situation has worsened. This criticism follows the election of Disy leader Annita Demetriou as House president, a position achieved with support from Fidias Panayiotou's Direct Democracy Cyprus party. Following this election, both Demetriou and Panayiotou expressed their intentions to collaborate on various policy areas, including housing, with Panayiotou advocating for the construction of 10,000 new homes in the coming years. Demetriou echoed this sentiment, stating that such a goal is "feasible" and should be pursued within a short timeframe of three to four years.
Despite their aspirations, neither Demetriou nor Panayiotou holds the authority to directly implement housing policies. However, both leaders have indicated their commitment to pressuring the government to expedite the construction of new homes.
As the debate over the housing crisis continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the criticisms and proposals put forth by Akel and Disy, and what concrete actions will be taken to address the pressing issue of housing affordability in Cyprus.