Against the historic backdrop of the 11th Delphi Economic Forum in April 2026, the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, made an announcement that aims to reshape Greece's social landscape for the next decade. With a massive budget reaching €7 billion, the government is attempting to address the most pressing issue facing Greek society: the lack of access to affordable and quality housing.

The Architecture of the New Housing Policy

The 43-measure package is not merely a collection of subsidies but a structural intervention in the real estate market. Minister Michailidou emphasized that the housing crisis in Greece has reached the level of an existential threat, directly impacting demographics and the economic independence of young people. The strategy is divided into three central pillars: promoting homeownership, stimulating the supply of rental properties, and leveraging public assets.

A central role is played by the "My Home II" program, which is being expanded with funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The program now targets a broader age demographic, offering low-interest or interest-free loans for first-time home buyers. This year's innovation lies in the integration of energy upgrade criteria, linking social policy with the green transition.

Social Housing and Public-Private Partnerships

One of the most ambitious measures presented by the Minister is "Social Counter-Provision" (Koinoniki Antiparochi). The state grants unused land and buildings to private developers, with the obligation that a significant percentage of the constructed housing be allocated for social rental at low rates. This model, successfully implemented in countries like Austria and Spain, is now being dynamically introduced to the Greek reality.

  • Creation of 2,500 new social housing units through PPPs (Public-Private Partnerships).
  • The "Renovate – Rent" program with an increased subsidy of up to 60% for repairing closed apartments.
  • Tax incentives for owners who convert short-term rentals (Airbnb) into long-term leases.
  • Utilization of the "Social Housing Stock" for vulnerable groups and large families.

Ms. Michailidou was clear: "We cannot have a country with thousands of empty houses and thousands of young people who cannot leave their parental home." The intervention aims to release at least 50,000 properties that currently remain off the market, either due to age or the shift toward tourism.

The Link to Demographics and Labor

The Minister's analysis went beyond numbers. She stressed that housing is the "backbone" of family stability. With rent prices having increased by 40% over the last five years in urban centers like Athens and Thessaloniki, the government is introducing special bonuses for couples having children, drastically reducing the interest rate on their mortgages for each new family member.

"Housing is not a luxury; it is a right. The €7 billion is the largest investment ever made in Greece for the social protection of housing," stated Ms. Michailidou from the Delphi podium.

However, challenges remain. The absorption of funds and the speed of bureaucracy are the traditional thorns of Greek administration. The Minister promised the digitalization of all processes through a new housing assistance platform, which will function as a "one-stop-shop" for citizens, from loan applications to finding social housing.

Critique and Outlook

Despite the enthusiasm, analysts point out that the program's success will depend on whether banks facilitate access to lending and whether property prices are contained, or if the injection of such liquidity leads to a new price surge. Ms. Michailidou responded that the measures are "targeted and not horizontal" to avoid inflation in the real estate market. The stakes for 2026 are high, as Greece tries to recover the ground lost during a decade of economic crisis that froze construction activity and social welfare in the housing sector.