Delays mar ‘ktizo’ scheme after tenants refuse to pay contributions

Five tenants are refusing to vacate government refugee homes, causing delays to the ‘ktizo’ renovation project, it emerged on Thursday.

The interior ministry is struggling to find a solution as the tenants either refuse to pay their contribution towards the renovation works or are demanding refunds for money they previously spent on renovating their apartments. Others are asking for a higher rent subsidy, according to sources cited by CNA.

The apartments in question are located in the Strovolos C block, which the government had slated for demolition due to dangerous conditions. This is part of the interior ministry’s ‘ktizo’ scheme which aims to address decrepit housing conditions in refugee estates.

While some buildings will be renovated, 43 refugee building were deemed too dilapidated for renovation making demolition and new construction a more financially viable option.

The refusal of these five tenants to vacate their apartments is delaying the demolition phase of the project, which in turn is stalling the construction of the new building.

So far, one applicant has been approved to have their entire contribution of €25,000 covered by the government, while another has been granted partial coverage of €5,000.

To date, 327 of the 375 eligible residents have expressed interest in applying for the ‘ktizo’ scheme. Those eligible are required to contribute €10,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, €20,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, and €25,000 for a three-bedroom apartment.

These contributions effectively represent the cost of obtaining an entirely new apartment.

The interior ministry will provide a one-off state subsidy per apartment: €30,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, €40,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, and €50,000 for a three-bedroom apartment.

Based on the number of beneficiaries registered so far for the construction of the 19 blocks of flats in the first phase, the state will pay a total of €13 million in grants.