Ten families: two refugee, six internally displaced families from a collective centre Gamzigradska banja and two domicile, socially vulnerable families received keys to their new apartments in the city of Zaječar. These 10 families now have a sustainable housing solution thanks to the EU project “Support to the Implementation of the Strategy for IDPs, Refugees and Returnees in Serbia”.
This project was funded by the European Union; co-funded and implemented by UNHCR. The total value of the building and household equipment is EUR 224,800. 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 Zaječar donated the land and infrastructure. 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 956 units were built. Construction of 536 of these units was funded by the European Union.
The beneficiaries of apartments in Timočki kej bb, Zaječar 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 in Zaječar providing them with necessary additional support.
The project “Support to the Implementation of the Strategy for IDPs, Refugees and Returnees in Serbia” funded through the EU pre-accession funds in the total value of EUR 1,400.000 includes four components: construction of prefabricated houses, construction of apartments within the concept of “Social Housing in Supportive Environment”, distribution of construction materials and distribution of dependency reduction grants throughout Serbia. The project is to provide housing solutions for 167 families and help close four collective centres in Serbia.
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