A new plan in Cyprus helps private schools build and expand faster. The government has approved a special project. This project makes it easier for twenty-eight schools to get building permits. Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou is leading this effort. The plan also helps fund new affordable rental homes.
Before, building for schools was very difficult. There were many rules and delays. This new policy removes these problems. It gives schools special benefits to build new parts of their campuses. This has already worked well. Ten building plans were approved. Three were not approved. Fifteen more are being checked now.
Schools can now use special rules. They do not need special permission for some things. For example, some schools needed less open space. Others needed fewer sports fields. This is because the rules are now easier. One school built more than allowed. They paid a fee for this extra building. This money goes to build affordable housing.
All money from these building benefits goes to one place. This money is used to build homes for rent. The Cyprus Land Development Corporation manages this money. Eleni Symeonidou, the Director-General, explained the goal. She said, "We want to use all money from building benefits to create affordable homes for rent."
This plan is already making a difference. In Limassol, a project is building affordable homes. The government gave €12 million for this. The money from the schools helps this project. Another affordable housing project is planned for Strovolos. This shows the government wants to help people afford homes.
This smart plan helps schools and people needing homes. It connects school building with social good. This is a new way of planning in Cyprus. It helps education and provides housing. This success could be a model for other projects.