11 October 2013. - Ivica Dacic, Serbian Prime Minister, Michael Davenport, Head of the EU Delegation, Vladimir Cucić, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia and Eduardo Arboleda, Chief Representative of UNHCR in Serbia, handed over the keys of 15 newly built apartments in Gadžin Han.

Twelve families of refugees and internally displaced persons from the collective center “Primary school Vitko i Sveta” got keys of new apartments and three apartments have been awarded to local vulnerable families. These 15 families got their homes thanks to the project of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration "Support to the implementation of strategies for IDPs, refugees and returnees in Serbia", which is financed by the EU.

 

The total value of construction work, furniture and equipment costs 260.000 EUR. Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, as the institution responsible for meeting the housing needs of refugees and internally displaced persons, has drawn attention to the EU as a donor, about the most efficient way to meet the housing needs of this population. Municipality of Gadžin Han donated the plot and infrastructure. The project was implemented by UNHCR in cooperation with NGO Vizija and Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia.

The concept of "Social Housing in Supportive Environment" is entered in the Strategy of Development and Social Protection of the Republic of Serbia and is rated as the best and most appropriate solution for people who are still living in collective centers. This concept provides housing for the most vulnerable groups which are in need of additional help from local centers for social work. To date, the concept of "Social Housing in Supportive Environment" was implemented in 42 municipalities in Serbia where 946 residential units were built, of which 526 from the European Union funds.

 

Occupants in Gadžin Han will have the right to use the flats as long as they are in need. According to the concept of the project, in each building will live a host family whose role will be to act as a link between residents and the Centre for Social Work in Gadžin Han and provide them with the necessary additional support.