The significant delays in the implementation of the “Ktizo” plan, the need to expedite procedures for the construction of new apartment buildings in government-run housing settlements for displaced persons, as well as the shortcomings identified in the implementation of the new legislative framework for the management of Turkish Cypriot properties, were examined today, Tuesday, by the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees.

Lawmakers from all parties spoke of the need to expedite procedures, enhance transparency, and address problems that have arisen both in the “Ktizo” project and in the management of Turkish Cypriot properties.

The Chair of the Refugee Committee and AKEL MP, Nikos Kettiros, stated that the first issue discussed concerned the “Ktizo” program, specifically the grants for existing apartment buildings in government-administered settlements and the delays that continue to be observed.

As he noted, the Committee was informed that the issue of funding through the Equal Burden Sharing Agency—which, as he said, the Commission had insisted on from the very beginning, will be submitted to the Agency’s Board of Directors on July 9 for approval and will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance. He expressed the hope that the process would be completed as soon as possible so that beneficiaries could participate in the program.

As he noted, to date, 4.344 million euros have been allocated for rental purposes, while the total amount required as a contribution from beneficiaries is estimated at approximately 6 million euros, with the exact figure expected to be announced in the coming days.

Mr. Kettiros also referred to the need for strict oversight, since, as he said, this involves public funds, and he raised the issue of the failure to demolish dangerous apartment buildings. He pointed out that none of the apartment buildings that should have been demolished have been demolished yet, nor have the buildings been sealed off, resulting in incidents of illegal entry and theft. As a prime example, he cited the apartment buildings in Agioi Anargyroi in Larnaca, where, as he said, there are buildings that should have been demolished about 15 years ago, yet they continue to be occupied illegally.

Referring to the second item on the meeting’s agenda—the management of Turkish Cypriot properties— he noted that following the passage of the relevant legislation—which introduced objective criteria and a points-based system—weaknesses have been identified in its implementation. As he said, both the members of the Committee and the relevant agency have expressed their intention to take corrective measures, while the issue of vacant homes was also raised, along with the need to find ways to make it easier to utilize them for the benefit of refugees, with greater transparency and better communication with those concerned.

The Director of the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service, Anthi Lakkotrypi, in presenting the implementation of the new legislative framework, stated that it came into effect after its passage in July 2025, with the primary goal of enhancing transparency, meritocracy, and equality in the allocation of Turkish Cypriot properties.

As he explained, as part of the implementation of the new system, the allocation procedures have been simplified and standardized, and available Turkish Cypriot properties are now published on a quarterly basis. Since the law took effect, there have been four publications to date, through which 37 residential properties, 71 commercial properties and open spaces, as well as 177 agricultural plots.

At the same time, he noted that three competitive bidding processes have been conducted, while inspections of both residential and commercial properties have been intensified throughout Cyprus. According to the data she provided, 79 properties have been repossessed, while another 130 cases are at an advanced stage in the courts.

Ms. Lakotrypi also noted that the Service is continuously evaluating the implementation of the new framework in collaboration with the Refugee Commission, the Pan-Cyprian Refugee Association, and other organized bodies. As she said, certain gaps have already been addressed through internal circulars, while for other issues, amendments to the regulations will be proposed to clarify points that have emerged during the implementation of the legislation.

On the part of DISY, MP Giorgos Lysandridis described the “Ktizo” plan and the management of Turkish Cypriot properties as two of the most important issues currently facing the Ministry of the Interior.

Regarding the “Ktizo” plan, he noted that, three years after its announcement, there continue to be serious delays, despite the fact that its goal was the rapid replacement of dangerous apartment buildings. He acknowledged that this is a program that relies heavily on the initiative of the private sector and property owners, but he emphasized that ways must be found to speed up the processes.

At the same time, he highlighted the issue of prolonged state rent subsidies, as well as the problem of looting of state property, since, as he said, the apartment buildings being vacated are not fenced off in a timely manner before their demolition. He also expressed the hope that, when Parliament resumes its session in September, the new regulations of the Equal Burden Sharing Agency will be submitted, so that ways to accelerate the implementation of the plan can be examined.

Referring to the new framework for the management of Turkish Cypriot properties, Mr. Lysandridis noted that nearly a year has passed since the reform’s implementation and welcomed, as he stated, the response of the relevant agency to the concerns raised by the House of Representatives, noting that several of these are being addressed through internal circulars. He added, however, that there are still issues that need improvement, such as enhancing transparency in the scoring system, providing information to applicants, eligibility criteria, the management of vacation homes, limiting rent increases, and the process for allocating open spaces.

DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias described the Committee’s discussion on the two issues as productive, while at the same time strongly criticizing the implementation of the “Ktizo” plan. As he noted, despite the significant amounts paid out in rent subsidies, only two apartment buildings have been completed to date, a fact which, he said, demonstrates that the program is not progressing at the required pace.

He argued that the plan needs to be reevaluated and recommended that the Minister of the Interior be invited back to the Committee, so that the program’s operation can be comprehensively reviewed and decisions made that will allow for its completion within a reasonable timeframe.

On the issue of Turkish Cypriot properties, Mr. Koulias said that during the discussion, several gaps were identified in the regulations approved by the previous Parliament. He made specific reference to vacation homes, orchard plots, collective farms, and residential units, expressing the view that through cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior and the relevant agency, solutions can be found and the weaknesses that have come to light can be addressed.

ELAM MP Linos Ioannis Hatzigeorgiou initially referred to the progress of the “Ktizo” project, noting that, according to the briefing received by the Committee, the program is proceeding in three phases involving a total of 358 apartment buildings, which have been categorized according to their level of risk.

As he said, the first 43 apartment buildings are considered high-risk and must be demolished immediately. He expressed concern that priority is currently being given to the first 20, and work has already begun on the first 18, emphasizing that all high-risk cases should be addressed immediately to prevent further accidents.

Mr. Hatzigeorgiou also addressed the plan’s funding, noting that it is expected to come from a government grant, incentives for contractors, and contributions from property owners. He pointed out that funding through the Equal Burden Sharing Agency remains pending, adding that the Committee was informed that the matter would be considered by the Agency’s Board of Directors on July 9, after which it would be forwarded to the Council of Ministers.

Regarding the management of Turkish Cypriot properties, he noted that approximately 10% of the properties under the administration of the Republic of Cyprus are available for transfer and that the new system established in 2025 is based on two stages: eligibility and scoring. Although he described the philosophy behind the new framework as sound, she argued that there are cases that highlight the need for further improvement of the process so that the final selection better meets the actual needs of the beneficiaries.

Litsa Drousiotou, a member of parliament for Alma – Citizens for Cyprus, also described the meeting as constructive, noting that the effective implementation of the “Ktizo” requires better coordination between the Land Registry, the Agency for the Equitable Distribution of Burdens, and the Ministry of the Interior.

He expressed concern that there are apartment buildings which, although they should have already been demolished, remain unsealed and are being occupied illegally, warning of the risk of their collapse. At the same time, she noted that high market rents, combined with the amount of the government subsidy, may act as a deterrent to tenants moving out.

Ms. Drousiotou also addressed the issue of beneficiaries’ financial ability to cover the contribution required for their inclusion in the program, particularly in the cases of individuals with existing non-performing loans or the elderly, questioning whether they would be able to meet the new financial obligations.

Regarding Turkish Cypriot properties, she noted that the Commission had been briefed on the current legislative framework and that it would be reviewed again, since, as she said, there are gaps that need to be addressed in order to establish a more comprehensive and functional system.

Dimitris Souglis, a member of parliament for Direct Democracy, spoke of a constructive discussion and of the willingness of all Committee members to pressure the relevant agencies to expedite the procedures.

As he noted, it was determined during the meeting that there are still apartment buildings in refugee settlements that are in a particularly dangerous condition. He added that the Committee requested that the buildings be immediately sealed off and the residents evacuated, citing delays and bureaucratic obstacles in the implementation of the “Ktizo.”

Regarding the issue of Turkish Cypriot properties, Mr. Souglis said that problems have been identified in their distribution, which will be examined in cooperation with the relevant agencies. He expressed the view that through cooperation between the Commission and government agencies, a system can be developed that will ensure a fairer utilization of the properties and equal treatment of the rightful beneficiaries.

Source: CNA