3rd Focus Group “Housing Challenges and Solutions for Refugees: Perspectives from the Field”

As part of HELIOS+ project, a focus group discussion was held with professionals and beneficiaries from the Central Macedonia region, aiming to exchange experiences and ideas on the challenges of refugee housing.

Through an open and participatory dialogue, participants highlighted key issues such as limited access to available housing, bureaucratic obstacles, and discrimination in the rental market. At the same time, they shared good practices and proposals to promote sustainable and inclusive housing solutions.

During the discussion, tools that can practically support the process of finding housing were also presented, such as the Heliospiti.com platform, which helps beneficiaries of international or temporary protection identify verified housing options in Greece and access useful employment-related information. The platform operates under the PATHS project (Providing Assistance for Transitioning Housing Solutions), coordinated by IOM Greece and funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration among organizations, local authorities, and refugees themselves in shaping more effective and humane housing policies, tailored to the real needs of the communities.

The Helios+ project is implemented in cooperation with IOM Greece and funded by ESPA through ΕΥΣΥΔ – ΜΕΥ of Ministry of Migration and Asylum and with the co-financing of the European Union.