Specific proposals to address the housing problem that exists on the islands were submitted to nine (9) Ministers by the Member of Parliament for the Dodecanese, Mr. Manos Konsolas.
Manos Konsola’s intervention is addressed to the Ministers of Infrastructure, Interior, National Economy and Finance, National Defense, Education, Health, Social Cohesion and Family, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, and Citizen Protection and includes the following proposals:
– Preparation of a study on the type and scope of the housing problem on each island.
– Recording the needs and deficiencies in student housing.
– Tax incentives for property owners in island areas in order to make them available to government officials, health workers, students, and teachers.
– Financial program for the renovation of homes and the conversion of old hotels and tourist accommodations into homes with a binding condition that they be available for rent to specific categories, such as government officials, young families, health workers, students, and teachers.
– Conversion of abandoned public buildings or buildings that have been transferred to the Superfund in order to be converted into homes.
– Construction of student dormitories in Rhodes, Mytilene, Samos, and Chios.
– Utilization of municipal properties, within settlements, offered free of charge by the Municipalities in order to be erected by KTYP S.A., housing to be made available to teachers, health workers, and civil servants.
– Cooperation and participation of the Ministries of Climate Crisis, Civil Protection, and Citizen Protection in the housing construction program of the Ministry of National Defense for the military in the island regions.
– In the context of supporting life on the small islands of the Aegean, interest-free loans should be given, or a monthly housing allowance should be established for young families residing on these islands or who will choose to reside on them.
Mr. Konsolas states that the development of short-term rentals, the development and expansion of tourism, but also the lack of housing, have worsened the indicators of the housing problem in the island regions.
He emphasizes that the problem may concern mainly the islands that are tourist destinations, but also extends to the smaller islands where teachers, military, health personnel, and fire and security personnel serve, while also referring to the lack of student dormitories.
“It is now clear that a holistic plan is needed to address the acute housing problem recorded in the island areas,” points out Manos Konsolas.
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