The future of 330 families living at the Governor's Beach campsite has come under scrutiny following a decision by the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service to terminate its agreement with the site's operator and the Pentakomo Community Council.
Lawmakers discussing the issue before the House Refugee Committee said 102 families reside permanently at the campsite, raising concerns about housing, legality and safety.
Committee calls for housing protections
Committee chairman Nikos Kettiros of Akel said residents had been notified of the decision and could face eviction from the site.
He said the Legal Service and the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service had requested time to examine the facts and determine how the matter should be handled.
“Our primary concern is how those living there will be protected and ensured they do not end up without housing,” Kettiros said.
He noted that some permanent residents include families with children attending schools in nearby Pentakomo.
Legality and contracts under examination
The committee requested the submission of all contracts and relevant documentation for review and possible referral to the Legal Service.
Kettiros said the committee would not support illegal practices but argued that authorities had allowed irregular situations to become entrenched over many years.
He called for a solution that would uphold legality while preventing residents from being left without accommodation.
According to information presented during the discussion, tenants pay €1,500 annually in rent.
Concerns over safety and future management
Disy MP Giorgos Lysandrides described the case as complex, citing questions concerning legality, oversight and safety.
He said any decision to terminate the agreement should take into account residents who had invested in their homes at the site and address where they would live afterwards.
Lysandrides also referred to safety and sanitation concerns, noting that while many structures remain prefabricated units or caravans, some permanent extensions have been added over the years.
He said some refugees had moved permanently to the campsite after allowing their children to occupy their homes amid the housing crisis.
Calls for a socially sensitive solution
Elam MP Linos Ioannis Hadjigeorgiou said safety and legality issues must be addressed but stressed that behind the site's 330 caravan and residential units were families, pensioners, single parents and other residents who had invested significant sums.
He argued that any violations should be dealt with individually rather than collectively penalising all occupants.
Litsa Drousiotou of the Alma Movement called for detailed data on the number of affected properties, current residents and how many are refugees.
She also requested clarification regarding reports of interest from a foreign investor in developing a hotel in the area.
Drousiotou said alternative housing should be secured under clear criteria and a defined timetable before any residents are required to leave.
Additional questions raised
Dimitris Souglis of the Direct Democracy Movement said several questions remain regarding ownership and management arrangements linked to the site.
He called for all relevant documents and evidence to be submitted to the committee so legislators can determine whether the campsite can continue operating lawfully and whether the affected families can remain.
Proposal on housing title deeds
During the same meeting, the committee completed article-by-article consideration of a legislative proposal concerning title deeds for homes located within and outside refugee settlements.
Kettiros said the issue affects at least 400 homes that received permits from district administrations but were never formally recognised as refugee housing developments.
As a result, residents have been unable to obtain title deeds despite having secured permits through legal procedures.
Source: CNA
