Filenews 6 December 2025
About 200 to 250 people on a nationwide basis face a housing problem every year, according to data from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. As stated by the official of the Deputy Ministry, Phaedra Exadaktylou, the service is called upon to find solutions for these incidents, with the aim of immediately meeting basic housing needs and preventing further social exclusion.
Ms. Exadaktylou was answering questions on the issue of homelessness, on the occasion of the discovery of a dead woman on a coastal avenue in Paphos earlier this week. As he mentioned, the case is still being investigated by the Police and they do not have any evidence to be able to take a position.
"The phenomenon of homelessness ranges at a pan-Cypriot level of 200 to 250 people per year," according to Ms. Exadaktylou, who added that compared to other European countries, the situation in Cyprus "is at a very satisfactory level".
The Deputy Ministry Officer stated that in 2024 the Social Welfare Services helped 225 people facing housing problems, in 2023 380 people and in 2022 206.
These are Cypriots, Europeans and citizens of third countries, he said in response to a question. Usually, he said, it is a single person but there are also some families. He clarified, however, that these numbers do not include applicants for international protection.
In addition, Ms. Exadaktylou stated that the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and specifically the Social Welfare Services serve individuals or families who, due to the special conditions in their lives, face housing problems.
The policy of the Deputy Ministry and the government is not to let the phenomenon spread, he said.
Thus, he noted, "the Social Welfare Services immediately deal with any incident that comes to their attention", adding that they may receive information about a person or a family facing some problems either through the Police, or through reports from any citizen or local authorities, etc.
Ms. Exadaktylou stated that in particular, support is provided through temporary accommodation in hotels or accommodation, financial assistance and psychosocial support are provided.
That is, as he said, the competent officials come into direct contact with the person who is facing the problem, provide him with the place to stay until his case is investigated and further problems he may have such as psychological and other problems are identified.
These people also receive guidance and support, while financial support is provided under Article 11 of the GMI Law, he added.
He also explained that the responsibility of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare is the arrangement of short stays and guidance to find permanent residence and the wider housing policy of the state is, as he said, the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior.
CNA
