Plans progress for social housing development at Ziaka Camp

The project returned to the spotlight following a meeting between Deputy Minister of National Defence Athanasios Davakis and Lefteris Alexandridis, Mayor of Kordelio-Evosmos. The deputy minister described the redevelopment of Ziaka as “a challenge for the government”, noting that the project would move forward at an accelerated pace.

The approximately 130-acre site is located next to the Athens–Thessaloniki railway line and has remained inactive for around two decades.

In May 2026, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs set the number of planned homes at 1,034, as part of efforts to revive social housing through the redevelopment of inactive military camps and public property.

Based on these figures, the planned density theoretically corresponds to approximately eight homes per acre, before taking into account the land that will be allocated to green areas, roads, social infrastructure and sports facilities.

The government proposal also provides for the creation of a fully integrated neighbourhood, including social services, nurseries, schools and the necessary infrastructure. Sports facilities and a sports field have also been added to the plan, following proposals by the Municipality of Kordelio-Evosmos.

Tender targeted for 2026

The timetable presented in May by Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs Domna Michailidou envisaged the tendering of the project within 2026, with the aim of delivering the first homes in 2027.

The minister described Ziaka as the government’s flagship housing intervention and the most advanced among the inactive military camps being considered for similar redevelopment.

The homes are intended to be made available under a social and affordable housing scheme, with previous government announcements referring to low rents and targeting, among others, young couples and families.

The former Ziaka camp, together with the Papastathis camp in Acharnes and the Manousogiannakis camp in Patras, are the first properties to be included in the implementation of the new National Housing Policy Strategy 2026–2035.

The strategy forms part of broader plans to redevelop inactive military camps and public real estate assets to create social and affordable housing.

The programme will be financed through the Social Climate Fund.