Closure of community-based residential facility for people with disabilities in Kato Polemidia

A state-run community house in Kato Polemidia, Limassol, which provides care for three men aged 36-54 with severe disabilities, is scheduled to close by July 2026 due to a court order regarding the property. The facility, operating since 2005, houses individuals with severe mental disabilities, limited mobility, and autism. Following an unannounced inspection on December 4, 2025, the Commissioner for Administration, Maria Stylianou-Lottidou, issued a report warning that transferring residents to nursing homes would violate United Nations human rights conventions and CPT guidelines. The Commissioner emphasized that such a move contradicts international standards for deinstitutionalization and independent living. Social Welfare Services (SWS) state that the facility was originally part of a national strategy to transition residents out of institutional settings. The report calls on relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure the continued independent living of the three affected individuals. Officials noted that plans for relocation were underway, though the Commissioner's findings suggest a need for alternative arrangements to preserve the residents' dignity.