Ministry sets out solutions to refugee housing title problems in Zygi, Mari and other areas

Zygi, Cyprus. The interior ministry has identified ways to resolve housing title issues affecting refugee families in Zygi, Mari and locations beyond designated refugee settlements, the House refugee committee was told on Tuesday.

Bill to address titles for several hundred homes

Nikos Kettiros, the committee’s chairman and an Akel MP, said legislation scheduled for the next parliamentary plenary would enable titles to be issued for several hundred refugee homes constructed on government-owned land outside refugee settlements.

The committee heard that the legislative gap became apparent only after title issuance picked up pace from 2023, despite the relevant law dating back to 2006.

Alma’s Litsa Constantinides said the properties outside settlements had been built lawfully, but their owners had not been granted titles.

Zygi proposal due before cabinet

Kettiros said the ministry would submit a proposal concerning Zygi to the cabinet next week.

The Larnaca district local government organisation (EOA) had sought to reclaim homes constructed there by the town planning department. However, the ministry decided that the properties should remain with their beneficiaries or heirs.

Elam MP Linos Ioannis Hadjigeorgiou said approximately 12 housing units were involved. For five homes whose owners had died, a title could be issued to one of their children. In the cases of three owners who were still living, the title could go either to the owner or to a child.

He said two vacant units would be allocated through the ministry’s waiting list, while the final two would have lifetime rights attached.

Hadjigeorgiou said the outcome demonstrated that solutions were possible when problems were highlighted and sufficient political will existed.

Lifetime occupancy in Mari

For Mari, Kettiros said displaced residents occupying homes previously owned by Turkish Cypriots would be allowed to remain for the rest of their lives. They would not, however, be entitled to transfer the permit for use to other children.