A housing programme devised by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to cover the needs of thousands of asylum seekers in Greece is set to extend to several city councils around the country, after the success of its initial run.
The programme provides refugees with a year’s prepaid rent, in selected apartments. So far, more than 30,000 people have benefited from the programme, staying in dignified conditions as they await for their resettlement.
The cities participating in the programme are Athens, Thessaloniki, Livadia (central Greece), and a few towns in Crete.
Supported by 14 non-governmental organisations, the programme recruits owners of small-to-medium-sized apartments (between 60 and 120 square metres) willing to rent them out for up to €400 per month.
The programme raised €93.5 million in EU funds, which ensures its continuation throughout 2018, or even further. Bringing on board the local councils of Trikala, Karditsa, Larissa, and Nea Philadelphia – Halkidona, in Athens, the UNHCR hopes to have housed more than 22,000 people by the end of the year.
