The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharakis, spoke about the minimum guaranteed income, “Spiti 2”, the reforms in 3 allowances and the “Neighborhood Babysitters” program, among others, on SKAI and the show Mismatches.

Regarding housing, he said that a big effort will be made in the rent pillar with the exemption of taxes after the opening (foreclosed houses) for 3 years, while he talked about both the 400 million program for energy upgrading through the recovery fund, as well as social housing.

“The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family is already running a tender – the contractor has been selected in Thessaloniki – to renovate 30 public, state or municipal apartments”he said characteristically.

She emphasized that the specific ministry also with 2 programs, “Coverage” and “Housing and Work”, “has over 1100 households currently housed, which are people who have a minimum guaranteed income, women who live in a hostel” .

Permanent increases in the minimum guaranteed income

The minister stated that there will be permanent increases in the minimum income, while regarding how much she said that this would be announced in the specialization.

“It’s reforms to 3 benefits that we better target – there was already an increase in the minimum guaranteed income for the first time in a while in December 2023 instead of January 2024, which we had promised, that is earlier – as we also better target and child benefit and housing benefit. They are the 3 largest allowances reaching the budget of 1.9 billion which are given through OPECA. These are the constants, but of course we also have the Prime Minister’s announcements for December because in all this bonus that will be given to the most vulnerable groups, 200 euros are included for OPECA pensioners, as well as 200 euros for the uninsured seniors of OPECA , an additional installment for the child benefit to the approximately 700,000 beneficiaries of this allowance and half an installment of the minimum guaranteed income. These are the temporary ones,” he pointed out indicatively.

“Neighborhood Babysitters” are now becoming nationwide

Zaharaki added that “Neighborhood Babysitters” are now becoming nationwide. “From the beginning of 2025, I believe we will be ready in the first quarter, every municipality will be able to have the “Neighborhood Nanny” program. It is a program that we managed to include in the NSRF. It means that even a grandparent can get from 300 – 500 euros depending on whether the guardian is in full or part-time employment and can also help with family planning.

The minister noted that the nursery school program continues with the vouchers with the K.D.A.P. and K.D.A.P.AmA. “This year, together with the European money, more than 379 million were given by the ministry and we will continue to do this every year,” she said.

With expanded income and age criteria of “House 2”

In particular for “Spiti 2”, Mrs. Zaharaki said that there will be a relevant specialized interview on Friday, however she stated that after the first quarter of 2025 the program will “go” back on the air. “Already House 1 has given out over 7,055 savings loans which means 7,055 households that have moved out of rent and now own their own home. By the end of the year this number will have gone to 9,155 new people and in the new House 2 are the following differences:

  • The age limit is increasing, it now reaches up to 50
  • Income increase (the maximum for a person in the previous year was 16,000, now it is 20,000 and it increases by 4,000 euros per child)”

He noted that about 15,000 couples will be able to benefit from it.