Eleven refugee and nine internally displaced families that until recently lived in the three collective centres in Belgrade, today received keys to new apartments in Veliki Mokri Lug. The apartments, part of the “Social Housing in Supportive Environment” project for vulnerable cases, were built with funds from the US Government, with the co-funding of UNHCR, City of Belgrade and Foundation Ana and Vlade Divac. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Commissioner for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia.
The total value of the construction works and equipment of this 20-apartment building was USD 660,000. The City of Belgrade donated the land and infrastructure and the project was implemented in cooperation with the NGO Housing Center – Center for Improvement of Housing of Socially Vulnerable Groups, UNHCR’s long time implementing partner, specialized in this type of housing construction.
The beneficiaries of the building in Veliki Mokri Lug will hold the right to use the apartments 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 Belgrade providing them with necessary additional support.
The new, 20-apartment building in the Belgrade area is first of its kind on the site where two more buildings within the framework of the programme “Social Housing in Supportive Environment” will be built. The construction of the other two buildings will be funded from EU IPA 2011. A fourth “Social Housing in Supportive Environment” building may be built with funds from the Foundation Ana and Vlade Divac and in cooperation with the Commissioner for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, UNHCR and the City of Belgrade.
The concept of Social Housing in Supportive Environment is included in the Strategy for Development and Social Protection of the Republic of Serbia. It has been recognized also by the EU, UNHCR and the Serbian Commissioner for Refugees as the best and most viable 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, SHSE concept has been implemented in 28 municipalities throughout Serbia; more than 600 units have been built.
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