The results of the EU funded project “Social Housing System (SHS) – Development of an Integrated Model in Theory and Practice,” as well as the most important recommendations for an integrated sustainable model of social housing in BiH, were presented at the Final Conference held in Sarajevo on 11 November 2015.
Within the project, six housing buildings were constructed in the municipalities of Jablanica, Prozor-Rama, and Stari Grad Sarajevo, the cities of Tuzla and Bijeljina and Brčko District BiH. In total, 62 housing units were built for those in need and allocated to the families in line with principles of social housing.
EU Delegation to BiH Head of Cooperation, Melvin Asin, emphasised the importance of cooperation between local authorities and the EU in the implementation of the project.
“The European Union has recognized the importance of the issue of social housing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and through IPA 2011 funds, has provided one million EUR and attracted co-funding from local authorities and Hilfswerk Austria International (HWA) in the amount of 714.905 EUR. The project provided concrete results and guidance on identifying and defining the system solutions for a model of social housing in BiH to address the problems of vulnerable categories in this country,” said Asin. He also added that the goal is to establish an adequate social protection policy.
„The goal is to have modern social protection services and specific support not only for those in need, refugees, returnees, youth and, but also for all who need social housing,“ he concluded.
HWA Director for BiH, Suzana Jašarević, stressed that a huge step has been taken and the country is much closer to the establishment of an integrated system of social housing in BiH. “All six housing buildings in different locations have been built. Four residential units were handed over to beneficiaries, while handing over in the Stari Grad Sarajevo municipality and in the city of Bijeljina is expected soon,” she said.
BiH Assistant Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Mario Nenadić, said that in recent years in BiH, through a system of social housing and various projects, 55 buildings with nearly 500 flats were constructed.
In addition to municipalities involved in the project, the project was also supported by the BiH Commission for Refugees and Displaced Persons/BiH Fund for Return, the FBiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, the RS Ministry for Displaced Persons and Refugees, HNC Administration for Displaced Persons and Refugees and TC Ministry for Labour, Social Policy and Return.
The project was implemented by Hilfswerk Austria International (HWA), in partnership with the Foundation of Local Democracy (FLD).
