The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, speaking to ERT, referred to two key government initiatives, the Renovate – Rent programme and the Nanny Neighbourhoods
Starting with the Renovate – Rent programme, which involves some 30.000 closed and open properties, Ms. Michailidou said that the main differentiation compared to similar previous actions is the increased percentage of state subsidies. As she explained, for a couple without children, with an income of up to 35,000 euros, the state can cover up to 90% of the renovation, with a maximum subsidy of 36,000 euros.
The program provides for expanded income criteria, with subsidies ranging from 75% to 95% for home renovations.The limits increase with the number of children, as income is increased by €5,000 for each child. So, for example, a couple with two children can reach an income of up to 45,000 euros to join the program.
At the same time, a special bonus is provided for families with three or more children, single-parent households, as well as families with a person with a disability, giving the opportunity to subsidize up to 95% of the total cost. Although not all the details have been finalized, the direction is to follow a model similar to “My House 2”, avoiding the inclusion of too many new properties to avoid further price increases in the market.
The minister stressed that the program is a continuation of previous housing interventions, aiming to improve points that in the past made it difficult for households.As she said, about 13.000 families have already acquired housing through “My House 2” and another 10,000 through “My House 1”, which shows the effectiveness of the relevant policies.
Referring to the “Neighbourhood Nannies” programme, Domna Michaelidou noted the strong response of the public, as within just two days of the opening of the platform, 30,000 visits and applications from prospective curators were recorded. Those interested include both older women, such as grandmothers, and younger women who wish to work professionally in the childcare sector.
The programme aims to support families by enabling mothers to return to work, knowing that their child is being cared for by a person registered in an official register, with checked documents, a criminal record and certifications such as first aid training.
The financial support amounts to €500 per month for each child aged between 2 months and 2.5 years, filling a significant gap in available nursery places. At the same time, the state also covers the nanny’s employment stamp, ensuring legal employment, insurance coverage and pension rights.
Special emphasis is also placed on the income criteria, which relate exclusively to the mother’s income. In particular, for a mother with one child the limit is up to 24,000 euros, while for two children it reaches 27,000 euros. The father’s income is not taken into account, regardless of the amount.
Finally,it was pointed out that the programme can cover up to three children per family, reaching a total of 1,500 euros per month, making it both an important support for families and a worthwhile career opportunity for those wishing to work in childcare.
