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Greece: EU Backs Housing Scheme for Stranded Migrants

Monday, December 14, 2015 6:22 am | < 1 Minute Read
ATHENS, Greece (AP) —
FILE - In this June 14, 2015, file photo, Syrian refugees cross into Turkey from Syria over and through a hole on the border fence in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey. Marking a tragic milestone, the United Nations said in a statement on Thursday, July 9, 2015 that over 4 million Syrians have fled to other countries since the outbreak of civil war in their country more than four years ago. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)
In this file photo, Syrian refugees cross into Turkey from Syria over and through a hole on the border fence in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

The European Union has pledged to spend 80 million euros ($88 million) on a housing scheme for migrants and asylum-seekers stranded in Greece.

Kristalina Georgieva, the EU Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, signed an agreement Monday for a rent subsidy program due to launch next year. Thousands of stranded refugees are currently housed in old structures or are sleeping in tents pitched in city squares and parks in Athens.

More than 750,000 migrants and refugees have crossed through Greece this year, hoping to travel to central and northern Europe, but Macedonia and other Balkan countries last month toughened border rules, restricting crossings to nationals from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under the scheme, migrants will receive hotel vouchers or checks to live in vacant apartments.

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