Affordable housing

The launch of a subsidy voucher that covers part of connection costs and a two-year subscription for new or existing ultra-high-speed connections (above 250 Mbps) has drawn significant demand. 

According to official data, from November 18, when the Gigabit Voucher program came into effect, and until last Friday, some 12,000 vouchers were made available. 

Housing affordability in Sofia has improved since the pandemic, making it one of the few capitals in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to experience this positive trend, according to a report by Colliers International.

The overwhelming response to a recent real estate advertisement in Iraklio, Crete, is indicative of the serious shortage of affordable housing in many parts of the country.

State broadcaster ERT on Thursday reported the case of a man in the Cretan city who advertised his 80 square meter apartment for a monthly rental rate of 400 euros on a popular realty website.

Two Bulgarian cities, Plovdiv and Burgas, have been ranked among the most affordable locations for purchasing homes in Europe, according to a report by a real estate company. The ranking evaluated mid-sized cities known for their quality of life and notable landmarks while excluding capital cities.

A recent analysis from the European Institute of Trade Unions, highlighted by the European Confederation of Trade Unions, reveals that low-wage earners in most EU countries spend at least a third of their monthly income on rent. This data comes just before Dan Jørgensen's hearing in the European Parliament, where he will be considered for the role of the EU's first housing commissioner.

The National Technical University of Athens' (NTUA) ongoing struggle to reclaim spaces occupied by non-student activists was marred by violence on Thursday. As a university ultimatum for squatters to leave expired on Thursday, masked protesters attacked the NTUA administration building on the Zografou campus with rocks, breaking windows.

Tenants in Bulgaria are increasingly seeking furnished apartments in newly constructed residential buildings, according to real estate brokers. These modern developments offer several advantages, such as attractive designs, efficient room layouts, and improved energy efficiency.

The Municipality of Aegaleo in western Athens is set to renovate up to 10 aging apartment buildings, fully funded by the European Union through the "Rock the Block" initiative. 

The pilot project, part of the European Urban initiative Innovative Action, aims to upgrade deteriorating housing stock while ensuring affordable living conditions for residents. 

The sharp increase in rental prices seems to have already absorbed the government’s latest efforts to solve the housing problem.

The number of people who have to rent their homes keep rising, as the percentage of those living in their own home is dropping. As sales prices continue their rally, meanwhile, this trend is only expected to intensify further in the coming years.