Cyprus Unveils Comprehensive Housing Policy To Address Affordability Challenges

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 10, 2025

Cyprus is setting a new benchmark in housing policy as Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, outlined the nation’s integrated strategy during a key session at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s meeting on Affordable and Sustainable Housing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Addressing A Global Challenge

The forum, attended by the UNECE Director General along with ministers and senior officials from European regions, focused on the escalating challenges brought on by recent economic, social, and environmental crises. Increasing construction costs, a constrained housing supply, and limited financing for middle and low-income households have amplified the affordable housing dilemma nationwide and beyond.

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Strategic Priorities And Coordinated Action

Minister Ioannou emphasized that governments must adopt comprehensive, well-coordinated policies, engaging both public and private sectors to secure accessible and economically viable housing. According to policy experts, fortifying housing affordability is imperative not only for enhancing social cohesion but also for stimulating sustainable economic growth, offering parallels to successful urban renewal initiatives across Europe.

Targeted Policy Initiatives

In Cyprus, the government is deploying targeted plans to expand the housing stock and ease access to sustainable housing solutions. Key initiatives such as Urban Incentives, the Build to Rent scheme, and the Renovate-to-Rent plan have been introduced, alongside measures designed to streamline permitting processes. These policies include accelerated licensing for urban planning and construction, alongside focused support for young families under 41 years old and tailored housing solutions for rural and mountainous areas.

An Agenda For European Leadership

Minister Ioannou noted that the current crises have starkly highlighted the urgency of these measures, with many countries battling rising housing costs and a widening gap between household incomes and market prices. Cyprus is poised to place affordable housing at the forefront of its agenda as it chairs the European Union Council in the first half of 2026, signaling its commitment to tackling the housing challenge head-on.

Commitments And Future Directions

The session concluded with the endorsement of a definitive set of commitments aimed at ensuring the realization of policies that promote both accessibility and sustainability in housing. By adopting these strategic initiatives, Cyprus not only addresses local challenges but also contributes to broader European efforts to secure viable housing solutions for all citizens.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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