STUDY ON ADEQUATE URBAN HOUSING FOR REFUGEES

In terms of residential buildings, one third of the total number of dwellings in Central Macedonia
(33.6%
1
of 1,074,242 housing units) was vacant in 2011, of which 25% (92,134) were for sale and
5% (19,476) were available to rent, with the remainder mainly being for seasonal use or second
homes
2.
4.2. Vacant stock and accommodation for refugees
Within this context, renting housing to accommodate refugees is a growing phenomenon: the
demand is already high for such housing from local organizations and City Hall. All the real estate
agencies we met had already been in contact with other organizations (without being able to meet
their demands). As new actors (NRC, CRS) continue to arrive on the scene, a new specific
demand (dwellings for refugees) is being created, along with competition between these actors.
This relative lack of rental properties may seem strange given that there is no overall national
housing shortage. Many homeowners approach local organizations themselves, or are contacted
by agencies. However, a significant number of the negotiations are unsuccessful due to resistance
from owners. In addition to being reluctant to accommodate refugees, they often fear that people
will remain in their homes beyond the end of the contract, that organizations will not honor the rent,
or that the property will be damaged
3. Furthermore, it is common for rental contracts in Greece to
be agreed for a 3 year period; however, NGOs’ poor budget visibility and financial limitations
(eligibility of funds over the period of one year projects) prevent them from entering into contracts
of this length, further reducing the scope for possible agreements.
Some organizations are now focusing more on entire vacant buildings to try to significantly
increase the number of people they can relocate, while at the same time ensuring efficiency.
However, there are currently few entire empty buildings available to rent as most have been put up
for sale. Yet, this situation could soon change, as owners struggling to sell their properties may
become more open to renting them out instead. Some realtors and owners are interested in this
option as it means a larger number of housing units per transaction and large sums being invested
by international NGOs. In this context, it remains very difficult to estimate the rental price for such
buildings as they are few and far between and each has specific features.
4.3. Spatial analysis
The analysis of the local rental market consisted of collecting data and reviewing 2,600 adverts for
apartments available to rent in the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, which provided valuable
information on average availability, areas, and (rent and sale) prices in each neighborhood. This
data was collated in the form of an interactive map
4. The main findings of this analysis were then
confirmed during interviews with realtors and City Hall.
Housing supply in Thessaloniki mirrors its social mix, as the housing stock is homogeneous in the
central, eastern, and western neighborhoods of the city. The dwellings are generally relatively large
! 1 2011 Population and Housing Census
! 2 A. Zamani, A. Grigoriadis & E. Safiolea, The Retreat of the Social Housing Sector in Greece. A Review of Policies & Outcomes, 2015,
presentation.
3
As mentioned below, taxes and formal contracts are also an obstacle.
4
https://lesimon.carto.com/viz/513e503c-961a-11e6-9281-0e3ebc282e83/public_map
NRC > Study on Adequate Urban Housing for Refugees in Thessaloniki !34