Twenty New Apartments in Vranje
TWENTY NEW APARTMENTS IN VRANJE Press Releases Resources
TWENTY NEW APARTMENTS FOR REFUGEE, IDP AND VULNERABLE DOMICILE FAMILIES IN VRANJE
Vranje, 06 September 2010 – 2 refugee families, 14 IDP families and 4 local socially vulnerable cases (46 persons in all) from Vranje received keys to their new apartments, the construction of which was funded by the Delegation of European Union IPA 2007 funds.
The building, consisting of 20 housing units, for Social Housing in Supportive Environment in Vranje is realised as part of the project “Dignified Solutions for Displaced Persons living in Collective Centers or Private Accommodation in Serbia” funded from the European Union IPA 2007 funds and realised in cooperation with the Commissioner for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia and UNHCR.
The concept of Social Housing in Supportive Environment, first introduced in 2002 and included in the Strategy for Development and Social Protection of the Republic of Serbia, has been assessed as the best and most needed solution for the remaining residents of collective centres. It provides housing for the most vulnerable groups in need of additional support from the local Centres for Social Welfare. The SHSE concept has been well accepted in over 20 municipalities throughout Serbia where over 400 housing units have been built to date.
The beneficiaries of the housing units in Oktobarske revolucije street in Vranje will hold the right to use the housing units as long as they are in a situation of social need. A host family will be among the beneficiaries, whose role will be to act as a link between the residents and the Centre for Social Welfare in Vranje providing them with necessary additional support. Every unit is provided with basic furniture, kitchen appliances and a stove.
The total value of the construction works and equipment is approximately RSD 35 million and the municipality donated the land and infrastructure in the value of approximately RSD 8.5 million. The project was implemented in cooperation with the NGO Housing Center, UNHCR’s long time implementing partner, specialized in this type of housing construction.
Since 2000, 11 collective centres were closed in Vranje through a range of projects including construction of 20 housing units for refugees accommodated in collective centres funded by the European Agency for Reconstruction and 20 housing units funded by UNHCR.
