In Greece, around 80% of cancer patients are referred to the five major hospitals in Athens to receive specialist care. For those living in rural areas, on remote islands or in conditions of socio-economic vulnerability, this means spending prolonged periods away from home, with no guarantee of safe and dignified accommodation.
The capital’s public hospitals offer high-quality medical care, but lack facilities capable of meeting patients’ non-clinical needs. The result is a tangible inequality: those who cannot afford accommodation risk interrupting their treatment, finding themselves in precarious circumstances, or giving up on care altogether. Hospital social workers report a structural shortage of free and safe housing solutions for these people.
The Hellenic Cancer Society’s “Home Away from Home” project
The programme, previously known as “The World as One Home”, provides fully equipped accommodation in Athens for the duration of treatment. In addition to accommodation, beneficiaries receive psychosocial support from qualified professionals and assistance in navigating the healthcare system.
Patients are referred by hospital social workers or access the programme directly. The entire service follows rigorous safety and quality protocols and undergoes regular evaluations to measure its effectiveness and adapt it to emerging needs. Since its launch, the programme has supported 34 patients and 25 caregivers, providing a total of 681 days of accommodation.
The Hellenic Cancer Society’s objective is to expand the programme’s capacity by 30% annually, improve infrastructure and strengthen coordination with social services and hospitals.
Who the project is aimed at
The direct beneficiaries are cancer patients and their caregivers who need to relocate to Athens for treatment, particularly those in vulnerable socio-economic circumstances or from remote areas, islands or situations of forced migration. They are provided with safe accommodation, psychological support and guidance throughout their treatment journey.
The patients’ families benefit indirectly from the programme, as they are relieved of some of the financial and emotional burden associated with caregiving. Social workers and hospital staff also benefit, as they have a reliable point of contact to which they can refer the most urgent cases. More generally, the programme contributes to the effectiveness of the public healthcare system by promoting adherence to treatment and improving treatment outcomes.
Project name: Home Away from Home: Programme “Όλη η Υδρόγειος ένα Σπίτι”
Proposing organisation: Hellenic Cancer Society
Area of intervention: Health & Welfare