The ceremonial hand over of keys for 235 apartments for refugee families from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, with the residency in the city of Belgrade, took place in Ovca, under the third subproject of the Regional Housing Program (RHP). The project value is 9.8 million euros, out of which € 5.4 million was provided from the Donor Fund of the Regional Housing Program, with the European Union as the largest donor, while the rest was provided by the City of Belgrade.
The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia is implementing the Regional Housing Program in Serbia as the leading institution, with six ongoing subprojects. Through the RHP in Serbia, 1831 families received the roof over their heads so far.

A number of distinguished officials from Serbia, along with the representatives of donors, foreign embassies, international organizations and partner countries from the region attended the ceremony of key delivery. The First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Commission for Coordination of the Process of Permanent Integration of Refugees of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dačić, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration Vladimir Cucić and the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia Mateja Norčič Štamcar addressed the beneficiary families.

On behalf of the City of Belgrade, Natasa Stanisavljevic, Secretary for Social Protection also spoke to the families. Davor Čordaš, Minister for Refugees and Displaced Persons in Republika Srpska, Kurt Donnelly, Deputy Head of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Serbia, Vassilis Petrides, RHP Programme Manager, Council of Europe Development Bank, Joseph Mellott, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Hans F. Schodder, Representative of UNHCR in Serbia, a well as Aleksandra Stijelja representing the beneficiaries, gave short speeches in which they highlighted the importance of RHP and the patience and endurance of the refugee families.

Minister Dačić reminded that the foundation stone for these apartments was set in September 2016 and that the facilities were completed within the deadline. He added that Serbia is making efforts, and will continue to do so, to find and provide lasting solutions for refugees who left their homes during the wartime in former Yugoslavia in the 1990s and decided to stay in Serbia.

"Serbia is aware of the fact that such important issues need time and sincere commitment and that close co-operation between Serbia and the countries in the region is necessary, as well as the willingness to find fair and sustainable solutions for all open questions," the Minister added and expressed gratitude to the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration and the international partners - EU, UNHCR, OSCE, as well as the numerous bilateral donors for continuous support.

Commissioner for Refugees and Migration Vladimir Cucić said that this was a joyous day for all.

"You’ve been waiting for a long time, too long. Now the day to put your name on your own door has finally come. I wish you a long, healthy and happy life under a new roof," said Commissioner Cucic, addressing over six hundred families who gathered on this occassion.

Mateja Norčič Štamcar, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, reminded that the EU, as the largest donor, allocated more than 230 million euros for the housing solutions of refugees under the Regional Housing Program.