Statement by Yiorgos Loucaides AKEL-Left-New Forces Parliamentary Representative on the death of a homeless woman

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25 April 2019, Nicosia

The death of the homeless woman is a tragic event that has caused deep sorrow in Cypriot society.

However, it brings back to the fore the serious shortcomings of the state regarding the provision of social protection for the vulnerable groups of the population, as well as the recent refusal by the government to admit that homeless people now exist in our country as well.

At the same time it highlights the absence of a comprehensive housing policy. In recent years, in the face of the accumulated problems caused by the banking crisis, having in mind the sharp rise in the price of rents and the upcoming all-out attack of the foreclosures of primary family homes, instead of strengthening housing policy and creating infrastructures and formulating programs for the vulnerable groups of the population and young couples, the Anastasiades-DISY Government chose to pursue the vicious curbing of housing policy.

Despite the very belated pledges the government ruling forces had made last autumn, nothing has been done so far for the elaboration and planning for an overall integrated housing policy.