Thursday the 30th of September 2010 – An agreement for the construction of 20 housing units intended for use as social housing in protected conditions was signed today in the city administration building of Smederevo. The construction of the housing units is representative of one of the components of the project, “Support to Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons,” being financed through the Delegation of the EU with resources from IPA 2008.  The project in its entirety is worth 4,2 million euros while for the construction of 20 housing units in the city of Smederevo, a total of 370,000 euros have been set aside. The city of Smederevo is participating in the aforementioned project by donating the land upon which the construction is to take place, the supporting infrastructure, as well as enabling the connection of the new construction to the city’s existing infrastructural grid.

The Commissariat for Refugees is the institution set to assume use over the project while the implementation of the undertaking in question is being done through the UNHCR in partnership with the Housing Centre.

By achieving these components, durable and sustainable solutions will be provided for the housing needs of 16 families of refugee and internally displaced persons with the outstanding 4 housing units being reserved for use by the socially vulnerable families from the local population.

Construction of the housing units which are to be used as social housing in protected conditions will further contribute to the planned closure of the remaining Collective Centres and will make available the social support services envisioned in the process of integration which are to be provided through the Centre for Social Employment and the host family.