**Disy Warns of Worsening Housing Crisis in Cyprus**
In a recent statement, the Democratic Rally party (Disy) has raised alarms over the escalating housing crisis in Cyprus, asserting that the situation is deteriorating rather than improving. The party emphasized the urgent need for accelerated action to expand the country’s housing stock, as current measures have proven inadequate in addressing the ongoing challenges.
Disy’s concerns come amid rising house prices and rental costs, which are increasingly burdening residents, particularly young couples. The party highlighted that even those who manage to secure accommodation are finding themselves dedicating a larger portion of their income to housing expenses.
According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), the housing index revealed a significant increase in home acquisition costs, which rose by 7.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025. This figure surpasses the 5% increase recorded in the previous quarter. Notably, the prices for apartments surged by 9.6%, while houses saw a more modest increase of 3.4%. Rental prices have also followed a similar upward trend, with apartments experiencing the sharpest increases, highlighting the challenges faced by those seeking affordable housing options.
Disy criticized the government’s previous measures, stating, “It is obvious that the measures taken by the government were not sufficient, something we had predicted more than two years ago.” The party reiterated its stance that proactive steps are necessary to mitigate the crisis. Disy had previously proposed a range of initiatives aimed at improving the housing situation, including granting additional planning incentives, expediting licensing procedures, and providing increased support for young couples looking to purchase or renovate properties.
Additionally, the party called for the modernization of local plans and incentives for housing developments in rural areas, as well as measures to unlock landlocked plots, which could potentially contribute to increasing the housing supply.
Disy concluded its statement with a sense of urgency, asserting, “One thing is certain, much more needs to be done and it needs to happen much faster. Otherwise, we will simply continue chasing the problem and never catch up with it.”
As the housing crisis continues to unfold, the call for more effective solutions and policies remains a critical topic of discussion among political parties and stakeholders in Cyprus.