September 2021 in Arkalochori, Crete, made by KKE Heraklion MP Manolis Syntihakis, was answered by the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Responsible for Rehabilitation from Natural Disasters and State Aid, Christos Triantopoulos, who, referring to what has been done, spoke for a project with a budget impact of 300 million euros.

Mr. Triandopoulos noted that the applications for the issuance of a license and the granting of housing assistance that have been submitted reach 2829 and that these fall far short of the autopsies, while there are also applications with many issues in terms of their completeness, as well as ownership and inheritance outstandings and particularities.

“In the last few days alone, the submitted applications exceed 130. Applications for repair submitted not one, not two, but three years later. And while the first aid has been granted, as much as 20,000 euros per house, to cover the initial costs of the private engineer who will draw up the repair application file”.

Christos Triandopoulos even clarified that all applications have been checked and a completeness form has been completed, that 181 repair permits have been issued, while applications are still being made to the service, three years later.

“However, the increased volume of new applications creates new needs and new requirements. And that’s why we are here to provide solutions” he characteristically said, adding that “we are proceeding with the extension of the deadline for submitting applications for the issuance of a repair permit and the granting of housing assistance, as well as a certificate of designation of a beneficiary for reconstruction, until April 7, 2025. With the relevant Ministerial A decision to be issued in the immediate future. As we have proven, we are adapting the measures to facilitate those affected. In this context, two other initiatives aimed at facilitating citizens are being launched.”

In fact, he pointed out that the implementation of the temporary housing scheme has been extended by two years “as a result, the rent or cohabitation subsidy will be granted to its beneficiaries for a total of 4 years”, while the exemption from the ENFIA is four years, as he also noted, with a provision passed by Parliament some time ago.

Regarding the rent subsidy, to date he explained that for all quarters a total of 439 applications have been submitted, 109 have been rejected and the approved applications concern an amount that exceeds 326,000 euros, with payments amounting to more than 270,000 euros.

“And the payments continue. Therefore you cannot say that the citizens have not received money. They have received and the beneficiaries will continue to receive as I mentioned for a total of 4 years. With the required procedures to be run by the competent services” added Mr. Triandopoulos who pointed out that the new procedure instituted for the regulation of issues concerning cases of buildings that have suffered minor damage and concerning earthquake victims who have received first aid is also being extended assistance for buildings classified as “green”, but with slight damage, and who wish to complete the process without submitting a housing assistance file.

“Those interested now have until December 31, 2024 to submit their applications. And let me disagree with you – here too – about the nature of the scheme. It’s a scheme we’ve put in place to give First Aid recipients the option to complete the process without submitting a Housing Benefit file. A scheme without any commitment and obligation. An opt-in scheme for the relief of those affected. A simple scheme, without bureaucracy, that frees citizens from submitting files. A scheme that may concern 2,000 cases of “green” houses. A scheme, however, that did not receive a response from the beneficiaries. Within the first months that it was “running” only 38 applications were submitted by the private engineers – and these in the last few days. If we look a few days earlier, we will see that there were only seven applications. Out of 2,000 potential beneficiaries. So you understand why we extended until the end of 2024.”

Christos Triandopoulos pointing out that the request is for the housing assistance for the earthquake in Arkalochori to be completed as soon as possible, he clarified that “we for our part are constantly developing the framework of state aid and formulating new interventions, as I developed above, in order to improve and to strengthen the management of the phenomenon. A result that reaches the citizens. Always with the aim of providing them with the best support”.

In his rebuttal, the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Responsible for Disaster Recovery and State Aid said that it is important to complete the housing assistance scheme and enable our affected fellow citizens to return to their homes, noting that ” in no case should a citizen be allowed to use a “yellow” building – especially if one takes into account the seismic activity in the area” while regarding the huts, he pointed out that “they are not used by everyone who should” and that this resulted from the investigation of the National Transparency Authority.

In addition to his answer, Christos Triandopoulos, among others, said about the approval of new funding of 1 million euros for the implementation of the remaining demolitions in the Region of Crete.

“The plan for support and rehabilitation is progressing and continues to be a priority of the government,” said Mr. Triandopoulos, who concluded by saying that in the next few days the plan for the reconstruction of Arkalochori, edited by the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, will be presented. “The restoration and reconstruction of the area is a priority. And we prove this in practice” he concluded.