Housing and Assisted Living Services

The initiative to implement a new project in Cyprus for the creation of supported living houses for independent living began with the European Commission, which co-organized with the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities a conference on “Transition from Institutional Care to Community Care” on 27 January 2017 in Nicosia. During this conference, EU experts presented the European Guidelines and the Handbook on the Use of European Funds for the Transition from Institutional Care to Community Care, as well as good practices implemented in this field in Cyprus and other EU countries.

The project “Creation of a Support Network of Independent Living Services in the Community for Persons with Disabilities” started during the 2017-2020 programming period and was co-financed by the European Social Fund under the Operational Program “Employment, Human Resources and Social Cohesion.” The co-financing of the project continued during the 2021-2027 programming period by the European Social Fund+ under the TH.AL.E.I.A. program.

The above project, in combination with the Scheme for Inclusion of Persons with Severe Disabilities in Supported Living Programs, was approved by the Council of Ministers Decision No. 83.414 dated 27.09.2017. The Scheme was upgraded with a new Council of Ministers Decision No. 89.284 dated 29.04.2020. Currently, 12 supported living houses and 8 individual programs providing independent living support services are operating. A total of 63 persons with disabilities are served by the project. The operation of the residences/programs has been assigned through public procurement procedures.

The operation of the supported living houses/programs includes housing, personal assistance, 24-hour care, as well as activities, rehabilitation therapies such as speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, music therapy, and a program of special and social education.

The independent living support services aim to empower persons with disabilities to have control over their lifestyle and to access these services according to their individual needs, abilities, and free choices. The project is implemented with the primary and fundamental goal of enabling citizens with disabilities to have their own home, within which they can live safely, with dignity, and quality of life, enjoying independent living support services without the risk of isolation and exclusion. All houses/programs are systematically supervised with on-site visits by the Contracting Authority and the submission of monthly reports by the Contractors, certifying the implementation of individual and group programs within the houses to ensure the satisfaction of the needs and service of all residents, as well as the smooth operation of the house/program within the community, ensuring maximum social participation and inclusion for its residents.

New Project with EU Co-Financing under the Recovery and Resilience Plan

Construction of five housing units to enhance the implementation of independent living support services.
Within the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan funded by the EU for the period 2021-2026, a new project has been approved, with the Implementing Body being the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, concerning the construction of 5 housing units in the districts of Nicosia and Limassol for the operation of programs providing independent living support services for persons with disabilities. The operation of the programs will be assigned to Contractors through public procurement procedures

Supported Living House within the Community “Ledra”

The house began its operation in April 2016 following Council of Ministers Decisions dated 04/12/2012, 19/11/2014, and 29/07/2015 as a Special Project assigned to the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for the deinstitutionalisation of 8 persons with very severe disabilities from Ward 14 of Athalassa Hospital. The project is supported by an Administrative Team from the Department, the placement of Mental Health Nurses from the Directorate of Mental Health Services, hourly staff from Social Welfare Services (cooks and cleaners), a driver from the Department, and caregivers from the private sector. The house is rented and suitably modified within the community, in a quiet environment.
Despite the severe challenges faced due to their health conditions and prolonged institutionalisation at Athalassa Hospital, the residents have shown progress in all areas of their lives, including cognitive, verbal/communication, and social skills, enabling further engagement within the community, even in busy areas such as central Nicosia and shopping centers.

Below you can find the Scheme for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Supported Living Programs as well as the relevant application form.

The budget and objectives of the project have been completed and furthermore new applications are not being examined at this stage.