Cyprus revives state land plot scheme for affordable housing

The government of Cyprus is set to reintroduce a scheme to provide state-owned land plots at affordable prices, nearly 15 years after the program was abolished in 2012. The initiative will be managed through the Cyprus Land Development Corporation (CLDC) and the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with local authorities. CLDC chairman Thiseas Ioannou confirmed that the agency is preparing to subdivide 135 plots, marking the organization's first foray into land sales. The distribution includes 36 plots in Ypsonas, 44 in Kokkinotrimithia, 31 in Timi, and 26 in Dromolaxia. Each plot will average approximately 520 square metres and is expected to be priced at roughly one-third of the current market value. Building and planning permits are currently being processed by the relevant district self-governance organizations. Eligibility will be determined based on existing socio-economic criteria applied to current housing schemes. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior is drafting a separate bill, currently undergoing legal review, to enable the sale of additional state land through local authorities, with initial allotments potentially beginning in 2026.