Heraklion picks former Skouloudi warehouses for temporary migrant housing

Greece's Ministry of Migration and Asylum has selected the former Skouloudi warehouses at the 10th kilometre of the Heraklion‑Moires national road as a closed, temporary facility to host migrants. The site is expected to be ready for use within about 20 days, with operations slated to begin in July. The structure will follow the model of the existing temporary centre in Agia, Chania, and will house migrants only for a short period before they are transferred to mainland facilities.

Minister Thanasis Plevris informed regional governor Stavros Arnaoutakis and Heraklion mayor Alexis Kalokairinos of the decision. Inspections have already been carried out and the ministry is negotiating with the property owner to complete necessary technical upgrades. Officials stress that the centre will not burden the local community and is intended to address the heightened migratory pressure during the peak tourism season, replacing the inadequate current space at the port's “refrigerator”.