Užice, Wednesday, November 19, 2011 – H.E. Ambassador Vincent Degert, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Ivan Gerginov, Assistant to the Commissioner for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, Jovan Marković, Mayor of Užice and Elmir Bojadžić, ASB Regional Director for SEE ceremonially opened 15 buildings for social housing in supportive environment.

Thanks to the newly built housing unit, sustainable housing solutions for 12 refugee and IDP families, as well as 3 socially vulnerable domicile families were provided. Most of the families were accommodated at the collective center Zabučje in Užice, so, by opening the new building, this center will be closed. This is a part of the Project "Support to internally displaced persons and refugees in Serbia", financed by the EU and implemented by ASB in cooperation with the CRS and the City of Užice.

The Commissariat for Refugees, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, developed the support program to the most vulnerable social categories, which makes the implementation of the program in Užice an example of support to solving housing issues.

Total value of this investment is € 261,500. The preparation of the documentation, construction of the building and furnishing are included. The City of Užice participated in the Project by donating € 50,000, which covered the infrastructure for the entire building and apartments.

ASB, through the joint Commission for the selection of beneficiaries which included the representatives of the City of Užice, the Commissariat for Refugees, Center for Social Welfare and ASB, selected 15 families and thus, solved their situation by providing them with new homes.