The conference entitled “Social Housing: Contemporary Needs, Data and Accessibility Challenges” was successfully held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Heraklion Chamber (Kastellakis Hall), with the subject of one of the most critical social issues of modern reality: access to adequate and decent housing.

The conference is part of the actions of the Regional Observatory for Social Inclusion of the Region of Crete, within the framework of the Regional Strategy for Social Inclusion (PESKE), in alignment with the National and European Strategy for social cohesion and sustainable development.

The opening speech was delivered by the Deputy Regional Governor for Social Policy and Solidarity, Mr. Stelios Vorgias, while the prologue and coordination of the conference was given by Ms. Katerina Vlasaki, Head of the Regional Observatory for Social Inclusion of the Region of Crete.

In the scientific and thematic part of the conference, data, research and good practices were presented that highlighted the spatial, social and institutional dimensions of social housing.

Professor of Sociology, Mr. Ioannis Zaimakis, Scientific Manager of the University of Crete – Regional Observatory collaboration, presented critical findings regarding the needs of social housing in Crete. Ms. Adamantia Zisopoulou, Director of Housing Policy at the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, analyzed the historical evolution and contemporary transformations of social housing in Greece, while Dr. Dimitra Siatitsa, researcher on urban and housing issues, highlighted the necessity of decentralized housing policies with a local footprint. In the same context, Ms. Merits Ozgunes, Coordinator of Social Housing Programs at the Social Leasing Agency of Thessaloniki – MATH S.A. AOTA, presented the experience and results of the Social Housing Office of Thessaloniki as an example of long-term and locally adapted social housing policy.

A fruitful discussion with the audience followed, during which questions and concerns were raised regarding the prospects for developing integrated social housing policies at regional and national levels.

The conference concluded with the formulation of brief conclusions, confirming that social housing is a fundamental pillar of social protection and a basic condition for social inclusion and prosperity.

The conclusions and proposals that emerged in the framework of the Conference will be presented in detail in a special publication to follow.

The conference material is available here.