The first eviction notices are being sent today (20 May) to tenants of an apartment building in the Faneromeni area of Larnaca with 24 flats, while similar notices will be sent on Friday (22 May) to tenants of a second building in the Chrysopolitissa parish with 17 flats.
All affected tenants will be given a three‑day deadline to vacate their apartments, as both buildings have been deemed dangerous and are expected to be demolished shortly. These decisions were taken at a meeting held yesterday at Larnaca Municipality, in the presence of representatives of the local District Local Government Organisation (EOA), where details were discussed regarding the condition of buildings identified as unsafe following inspections carried out in recent months.
At the meeting it was also revealed that a further 14 apartment buildings have, at first assessment, been deemed potentially dangerous, and additional inspections are required.
The President of the Larnaca EOA, Angelos Chatzicharalambous, warned that if it is decided that these buildings must also be evacuated, a humanitarian crisis could arise, as a large number of people would be left without housing at a time when there is a shortage of suitable relocation spaces.
State assistance
In statements after the meeting, Mayor Andreas Vyras called for state intervention to address the housing issue facing affected tenants, saying that the municipality would seek assistance from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Interior.
“Serious social housing problems are being created for these people, and therefore we will turn to the relevant ministries to find an appropriate solution to the issue that will arise with the demolition of the apartment buildings. The government may say it is not its responsibility, but municipalities cannot financially bear the cost of housing these people. They will collapse financially if they are required to rent properties to accommodate all these individuals,” he noted.
Mr Vyras added that this is not only a problem for Larnaca, stressing the need for a central plan to address the housing challenges that will result.
