An Investigation on Cypriot Housing in Relation to Appropriateness, Affordability, Adaptability, and Social Cohesion

Housing affordability has turned into a growing challenge in Europe. In response, the Liège Declaration called, in 2024, for the provision of sufficient and efficient, affordable housing in order to protect vulnerable citizens. The present research is motivated by this call with regard to affordable housing in Cyprus. Statistical data is presented that compares the local condition shortly after the global financial crisis in 2007 and the consequent Cypriot banking crisis in 2012 to the recent situation and sets it in relation to the European context. The state of housing is broken down into housing prices and the role that the real estate industry and foreign investment plays, the effect it has on residents, and the response given by the Cypriot housing policy. This is compared to the state of households focusing on vulnerable groups and, specifically, those at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Based on the comparison, consistencies and discrepancies between the state of housing and households are elaborated and criteria concerning affordable housing are deducted, with regard to the residents, such as long-term impact, building adaptation to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, social inclusion, mutual support among residents, and life cycle adaptability, but also with regard to building, such as cost-effectiveness, a circular approach, and effects on urban development. Such a holistic approach promotes innovative housing models that recognize the interplay of economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects. Best practice examples showcase possibilities on how to progress affordable housing in Cyprus.