Feels like home: Families enjoy 46 new modern earthquake-proof homes in Dhekelia, Cyprus

Families have been moving into new earthquake-proof homes as part of a major project to upgrade buildings in Cyprus.

The first 46 of 138 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) have been finished at Dhekelia Station, and most are already occupied by personnel and their loved ones.

The homes are part of the £48m Apollo Programme to improve the resilience of UK defence infrastructure across British Forces Cyprus and the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). 

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Housing suitable for the climate 

While designed to withstand earthquakes, the three- and four-bedroom homes are also better suited to the Mediterranean climate and fitted with solar panels and electric vehicle chargers.

"It's really nice to be one of the first families,” said military spouse, Karen-Grace Agyekum.

"These houses, I think, particularly at this time of year are great. They're climate-controlled, so it's very helpful to have AC in each location."

The BFC Regional Hive Manager from Bedfordshire and her 4 Scots husband, Highlander Stephen Agyekum, are one of the first families to move into Sandringham on The King's Estate.

Dhekelia's Housing and Community Support Office asked for volunteers to move into the SFA halfway through 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s posting.

Around 80% of the homes have been filled by junior ranks and the rest by NCOs.

"When your property feels like home, that makes a huge difference," Karen-Grace said. "It no doubt gives peace of mind to our spouses and our partners who we are in on this journey with together."

She added: "When they do deploy or are away for long periods of time, I'm sure they want to know we are safe, secure, and settled."

Safer homes for families 

Cyprus has a high risk of earthquakes and the SFA, plus other buildings, including the King Richard School, are designed to withstand any seismic activity.

The joint Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) 10-year project was originally planned to improve every building at risk of earthquakes across the Sovereign Base Areas.

However, the Apollo Programme has been reduced due to increased inflationary costs.

"This is a fantastic project for us," said Lieutenant Colonel Tim Wildish, Station Commander. "Not only does it give us safe housing, as in seismically compliant, but it upgrades the housing estate in Dhekelia."

"Housing is quite an emotive subject," added Lt Col Wildish.

"We should be striving to give people the best accommodation we can."

The next stages, which include parks, landscaping and more SFA, are due to be finished in November 2026 and January 2027. 

"The completion of this first phase demonstrates the strong partnership between DIO, CSOC and our industry partners," said Simon Oxley, DIO project manager.

BFBS Forces News understands that DIO has ambitions to also deliver new Single Living Accommodation across the SBAs.