Newsroom
The mayor of Paphos, Phaedon Phaedonos, warned Tuesday that rising real estate prices are making it increasingly difficult for ordinary Cypriots to rent or buy homes, calling on the government to take immediate action.
In a social media post, Phedonos said the “explosive increase” in property prices has created a “suffocating reality” for young couples, middle- and low-income families, and the younger generation. “Housing is not a question of the market but of social cohesion and equality,” he wrote, stressing that homes should not be a luxury reserved for the wealthy or foreign investors.
The mayor outlined several proposals to ease the crisis:
- Launch a massive social housing program, offering affordable apartments and houses for rent or sale to local residents.
- Build student dormitories to accommodate the tens of thousands of students in Cyprus, helping to free up rental properties for families.
- Require large employers of foreign staff, such as hotels, to provide housing for their workers, reducing pressure on the local rental market.
Phaedonos also pointed to European examples from France, Austria, and Spain as models that Cyprus could follow.
“The future of citizens cannot depend exclusively on the inheritance or financial standing of their parents,” he said, calling for substantive action now rather than endless studies or committees.
With tourism and foreign investment booming in Paphos, the mayor warned that without swift measures, local residents could be increasingly priced out of the housing market.
