On Monday the 2nd of April 2012, the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia HE the Ambassador Mr. Vincent Deger, the Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Vladimir Cucic, the Mayor of Vranje Mr. Miroljub Stojčić and the President of the Housing Center Mrs. Branislava Zarkovic, officially opened a new residential building in Vranje.

The construction of 20 housing units intended for providing social housing within a supportive environment for refugees and internally displaced persons accommodated in collective centers was funded by the European Union, through the Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance for the year 2009.

The investment value of the project’s components implemented in Vranje approximates to 40 million dinar, while the total value of the project, “Support for the improvement of living conditions, access to rights and employment of refugees and internally displaced persons in Serbia," amounts to 6,5 million euros.

Construction of the housing units was implemented through the Housing Center in cooperation with the Commissariat for Refugees and the local government. The Municipality of Vranje participated in the project by providing the necessary infrastructure.

In this manner, lasting and sustainable housing solutions were provided for 16 families of refugee and internally displaced persons as also for 4 vulnerable local families. Furthermore, the conditions for the closure of two collective centres in Vranje were thereby fulfilled.