A significant step toward restarting social housing in the country is marked by the Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) of Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus, and Social Cohesion and Family Minister Domna Michailidou. The decision transfers eight properties belonging to DYPA to the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family for development through social compensation contracts.
These properties are located in Paiania, Larissa, Pyrgos, and Kalamata, which after a long period of inactivity are now being put on track for development with a clear social focus. With this specific JMD, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family gains the ability to proceed to the next stages for initiating market invitation procedures, allowing interested construction companies to submit bids for property development.
First DYPA properties activated for social housing
The goal is to create new housing units, part of which will be allocated as social housing to citizens with the greatest need. Social compensation represents one of the most critical new housing policy tools. The state activates dormant properties and develops them in partnership with private contractors to create new housing stock and return social value to citizens. Within the social compensation framework, the state always retains at least 30% of housing units for social use, ensuring permanent stock. This way, public land that remained unutilized for many years is transformed into housing, housing opportunities, and real support for vulnerable households.
This landmark decision marks the beginning of recreating the social housing institution in the country with modern terms, transparency, and clear social orientation. Combined with the utilization of inactive military camps to create 2,300 social housing units, a new housing policy pillar is now being formed that increases housing supply and addresses one of the most pressing social issues of our time.
The 8 properties included in the JMD are located:
– in Paiania, in the Agia Triada area,
– in Larissa, in the Agios Thomas area,
– in Pyrgos, in the Palmandoura area,
– in Kalamata, in the Agios Konstantinos area.
With this specific decision, the government activates in practice a new housing policy model: public property gains an active role, with rules and transparency, in creating new housing and substantially strengthening access to housing.
