FOURTY APARTMENTS FOR VULNERABLE REFUGEE AND DISPLACED FAMILIES IN BELGRADE

Belgrade, 10 June 2013 - Twenty nine refugee and eleven internally displaced families from two collective centres in Belgrade received keys to their new apartments in Veliki Mokri Lug. These 40 families now have a sustainable solution thanks to the EU project "Supporting access to rights, employment and livelihood enhancement of refugees and IDPs in Serbia".

This project was funded by the European Union with EUR 660,000; co-funded and implemented by UNHCR. The total value of the two constructed buildings and household equipment is EUR 750,000. The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia as a competent institution for solving housing needs of refugees and IDPs has directed the attention of the EU as a donor to the most effective means of resolving the housing issue of this population. The City of Belgrade donated the land and infrastructure and invested more than EUR 150,000 in the additional construction works. The project was carried out in cooperation with the NGO Vizija, and the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia.

The concept of Social Housing in Supportive Environment is included in the Strategy for Development and Social Protection of the Republic of Serbia, and has been assessed as the best and most suitable 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. To date, the Social Housing in Supportive Environment concept has been implemented in 42 municipalities throughout Serbia where 931 units were built. Construction of 511 of these units was funded by the European Union.

The beneficiaries of apartments in nos. 22 and 24, Vladimira Ćorovića street in Belgrade will hold the right to use the flats as long as they are in a situation of social need. According to the concept of the project, each building will have a host family to act as a link between the residents and the Centre for Social Welfare providing them with necessary additional support.

As of today, 111 refugee and IDP families remain in the two collective centres remain on the territory of Belgrade, one of which the Serbian Commissioner for Refugees plans to close by end 2013.