Santorini Mayor Proposes Housing Solutions for ‘Homeless’ Teachers

Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos suggested converting old warehouses into residences and constructing new homes in parts of Kamari to host school teachers posted to the island, who are unable to find housing.

During a meeting with interior, culture and defence ministers this week, Zorzos proposed the area of Kamari, where warehouses and disused public properties can be exploited jointly by the municipality and the government in return for a token rent.

“Offering public servants an allowance is not a solution,” said Zorzos, “as it does not solve the problem of finding a home. Santorini is a year-round destination and the state’s decision to liberalize urban leases has created additional problems.”

The issue of “homeless teachers” made international headlines earlier this year when they were unable to find homes due to the exorbitantly high rents. Besides the fact that Santorini is set to attract some 2 million visitors this year, the option to lease properties as airbnbs has led to the decline in availability for long-term stay.  So much so, that the mayor was reported by media as calling on the locals to “adopt a teacher”.

A series of working group meetings will be held in the upcoming future in efforts to resolve the issue.