Greek authorities have revoked nearly 3,000 applications under the “Renovate–Rent” housing subsidy program after uncovering extensive irregularities, the country’s Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs, Domna Michailidou, announced on Wednesday.
The initiative, designed to encourage property owners to refurbish vacant homes and offer them for rent, aims to increase the supply of affordable housing in Greece’s strained rental market.
Speaking on public television, Michailidou said the ministry’s review of applications revealed that many referred to the same properties, indicating attempts to exploit the housing subsidy program for personal gain. “We proceeded with 2,978 revocations across the country, 1,200 of which were in the region of Ilia alone,” she said.
She emphasized that all revocations took place before any advance payments were made, ensuring public funds were protected. “The figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the controls. In one case in Ilia, the same property was declared by twenty different applicants,” Michailidou noted.
According to the minister, suspending fraudulent claims allows legitimate applicants to benefit instead. “The resources that were not allocated will go to citizens who truly meet the criteria,” she said, adding that fairness, transparency,...
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