A total of 570 plots of land in communities in the free part of Cyprus are being made available to young families; these will be sold at 25% of their market value, as part of the government’s plan to promote homeownership and revitalize rural areas. The Press Officer for the Ministry of the Interior, Margarita Kyriakou, explained on the Alpha Kalimera show who is eligible to apply, what the basic criteria are, and what procedure will be followed.
Eligible applicants include Cypriot citizens, couples with or without children, and single-parent families. In the case of a couple, at least one of the two members must be under 45 years of age, and one of the two members must be a permanent resident of the community where the plot is located or a neighboring community within a 15-kilometer radius.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
In addition, income criteria apply, with the upper limit set at €45,000 for a couple or single-parent family, €50,000 for a family of three, €55,000 for a family of four, and €65,000 for a family of five or more.
In the event that demand exceeds the number of available lots, a priority order will be applied. Those selected who sign the concession agreement must complete construction of their home within three years. As Ms. Kyriakou noted, “they may not sell or transfer the plot before the home is completed,” and restrictions on the sale of the home are also in place for a period of five years.
The District Administrations are expected to publish the available plots and related notices on their websites, as well as through the Ministry of the Interior. Interested parties should review the project guide, complete the relevant form, and submit the required certificates to the competent District Administration. “After carefully reviewing the guide, they must complete the form and submit all the necessary certificates that will be requested,” explained Ms. Kyriakou.
Along with the allocation of the 570 plots that have already been set aside, a process to create new ones is also beginning. Community Councils will be able, provided there is interest from at least ten families, to contact the District Administrations to determine whether available state-owned land is suitable for subdivision and development. If a plot is deemed suitable, the subdivision process will proceed, with the cost covered by the state.
“These plots will be provided at 25% of their market value, which is extremely important because we are helping young families acquire land at a very low price,” emphasized the Press Officer of the Ministry of the Interior. As she noted, the program is primarily aimed at low- and middle-income families, while it also has a development component, as it seeks to bring people back to rural communities and strengthen their infrastructure. The available lots range in size from approximately 325 to 371 square meters, while the homes to be built may have a floor area of up to 150 square meters.
