The first family that has joined the “Coverage” program of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, for the free housing of vulnerable young people in private houses, with the rent paid by the State, settled in their new home.
As the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs points out in its relevant announcement, this is a single-parent family with two children, which will live in an apartment in Galatsi, which is one of the first municipalities in which the implementation of the program and the settlement of the beneficiaries began.
The “Coverage” program, which was established by Law 5006/2022 “My Home – Housing policy for young people, utilization of public property for social housing and other provisions”, is aimed at young people, aged 25-39, who are beneficiaries of Minimum Guaranteed Income and do not own a home.
The goal, in this phase, is to house 3,000 beneficiaries, with the utilization of at least 1,000 houses.
Through the program, the State covers for three years the cost of renting private houses allocated for the accommodation of asylum seekers within the framework of the “ESTIA” program, which ended in December.
The beneficiaries of the program additionally receive the costs of moving the household and transporting their household goods, while, on the other hand, the owners, in addition to the guaranteed rent, which cannot exceed the rent they received, through “ESTIA”, plus the inflation of 2022, they are also covered for any damages found in the properties, during the lease.
The owners of these houses are invited by the municipalities to declare their interest in joining the new “Coverage” program, in order for the available houses to be made available to the beneficiaries, who will also be invited to submit applications to the municipalities.
Based on the data so far:
- 46 municipalities from all over the country have declared participation in the “Coverage” program (which includes the municipalities of Athens and Thessaloniki).
- Contracts have been signed with four municipalities (Neapolis Sykeon, Galatsiou, Chalkideon and Tripoli).
- Another three contracts have been sent to the Court of Auditors for pre-contractual review and 10 are in the signature stage. In the immediate future and after the decisions have been made by the municipal councils, the contracts will be signed with the other municipalities that have expressed an interest in participating.
- There has been interest from property owners and there are 685 available apartments that participated in the ESTIA 2021 and ESTIA II programs.
Hatzidakis: The restart of the state’s housing policy is implemented with specific actions
The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kostis Hatzidakis, said: “After the “Spiti my” program for providing interest-free or low-interest mortgage loans to young people for the acquisition of a private residence, for which the submission of applications to the banks has already begun, today the implementation of the “Coverage” program, which ensures free housing for vulnerable young people by renting private houses”.
“The relaunch of the state’s housing policy is implemented with specific actions, which support first of all the young, but also the vulnerable. The government is proceeding with the implementation of all the actions established by law 5006/2022, with a budget of 1.74 billion. euros, through which more than 137,000 citizens benefit”, he added.
How the Cover Program Works
According to the provisions of the KYA, which established the procedures for the implementation of the program, those interested who submit applications for participation are classified by municipality with points, according to the following criteria: families with many children, families with three children, people with a disability of more than 67%, households under eviction from rented accommodation, single-parent families, families with one or two children, unemployed registered with the Public Employment Service (DYPA), individuals or families accommodated in shelters for female victims of violence and individuals or families accommodated as members of Minimum Guaranteed Income households. If a family gathers more than one criteria, the points are added up, (except for the criteria for many children/three children/families with 1 or 2 children).
After ranking the households in a priority list, based on the points they collect, the municipalities invite the beneficiaries to choose from the list of available houses those that meet their needs according to the composition of the household and its preference in terms of its area municipality where the property is located. Each household chooses up to three available properties, among which it is asked to choose the appropriate one to rent.
The program is implemented by the General Secretariat of Social Solidarity & Combating Poverty of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, with funding from DYPA.
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### Interview with Minister Kostis Hatzidakis on the Launch of the “Coverage” Program
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Hatzidakis. The launch of the “Coverage” program is a significant step toward assisting vulnerable young people. Can you briefly explain what this program entails?
**Minister Hatzidakis:** Thank you for having me. The “Coverage” program, established under Law 5006/2022, aims to provide free housing to young people aged 25-39 who are beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income and do not own a home. We are initially targeting to house 3,000 beneficiaries by utilizing at least 1,000 private properties across various municipalities.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear that! Can you tell us more about the support offered to both the beneficiaries and the property owners under this program?
**Minister Hatzidakis:** Certainly. For our beneficiaries, the state will cover the rent for three years, and we also assist with moving costs. Property owners can expect guaranteed rent, which will not exceed the amounts they received through previous programs, plus adjustments for inflation in 2022. Moreover, we ensure that they are covered for any damages that may occur during the lease.
**Interviewer:** How are municipalities involved in this initiative, and what are the next steps?
**Minister Hatzidakis:** We’ve seen robust participation from 46 municipalities nationwide, including major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. Currently, contracts are in various stages with some municipalities, and we are actively encouraging property owners to express their interest in joining the program. This collaboration is crucial for maximizing the available housing options.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned the previous “ESTIA” program that assisted asylum seekers. How is the “Coverage” program different from that?
**Minister Hatzidakis:** While the ”ESTIA” program focused on accommodating asylum seekers, the “Coverage” program is tailored specifically for young, vulnerable Greeks. This program is part of a broader strategy by the government to revitalize the state’s housing policy and ensure that our young population is supported in securing stable living conditions.
**Interviewer:** What do you hope to achieve with the “Coverage” program in the long term?
**Minister Hatzidakis:** Our long-term goal is to ensure that vulnerable young people have access to safe, affordable housing. By addressing their immediate housing needs, we aim to empower them to build a stable future and contribute positively to society. This is not just about housing; it’s about fostering independence and self-sufficiency among our youth.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Hatzidakis, for sharing this important information. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of the “Coverage” program in the lives of young people in Greece.
**Minister Hatzidakis:** Thank you, it was a pleasure to discuss this crucial initiative with you!
