The Defense Ministry is proceeding with the construction of 1,500 social housing units, while the long-term goal is to create 15,000 apartments for social use. The new law on social exchange establishes specific criteria for selecting beneficiaries and provides for low rents for vulnerable social groups.
Utilizing inactive military camps for social housing
The Ministries of Social Cohesion and Defense are collaborating to utilize inactive military facilities. Of the new properties to be created, 25% will cover the needs of Armed Forces personnel, while 75% will be allocated as social housing.
Additionally, the law introduces significant innovations:
• Recognition of three-child family status for life for parents and children with disabilities
• Creation of short-term accommodation structures for people with disabilities
Social exchange operating mechanism
According to the new legislation, private investors undertake the construction or renovation of underutilized public properties with their own capital. Of the apartments produced, at least 30% remains with the State for allocation with social rent.
The remaining properties are made available to the free market, strengthening the overall housing stock and increasing housing supply.
Selection criteria for social housing beneficiaries
OPEKA assumes the selection of beneficiaries based on specific social criteria that will be detailed by Ministerial Decision. The criteria include income, property status, family composition, age of children, and the presence of disability percentage.
Selected beneficiaries will gain access to housing with social rent significantly lower than market rates. The rent amount will be determined based on the tenant’s income and property value, following European standards.
Integration into urban fabric without discrimination
Social housing will not create separate settlements but will be integrated into the existing urban fabric. This approach prevents the creation of isolated areas and ensures social cohesion.
After ten years of rental, tenants will have the option to purchase the property through a “rent to own” program.
New rights for three-child families
The ministry establishes for the first time lifelong three-child family status, which is not lost after children reach adulthood. An official Three-Child Certificate is created that is issued automatically through gov.gr.
Children with disabilities of 67% and above maintain lifelong three-child family status. In cases of abusive parental behavior, parents are excluded from privileges without affecting children’s rights.
Implementation timeline
Social Exchange contract procedures begin immediately for rapid results. The utilization of inactive military camps will proceed even faster due to existing Defense Ministry structures, through programmatic agreements between the two ministries.
