Nine internally displaced and returnee families in Ključ moved today into their new homes after years of living in temporary accommodation. The homes were built as part of the Regional Housing Programme (RHP), a joint initiative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia supporting peace, stability and reconciliation in the region. The European Union is the largest donor to the RHP, providing over 80% of the Programme’s funding.
The keys to the new apartments were handed over by the Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative to BiH Johann Sattler, who stated: “The Regional Housing Programme has provided 2,800 houses and apartments for families in Bosnia and Herzegovina providing a sense of stability and security as well as hope for a better future for beneficiaries. These are high-quality homes built to high construction and energy efficiency standards. The EU is consistently a true friend to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a loyal partner in promoting peace, stability and socio-economic development. It is important that BiH authorities take action to ensure that the remaining 300 houses and apartments under the Programme that have not been built are completed”.
The total value of the newly constructed multi-apartment building in Ključ is approximately 922,000 BAM. The European Union provided 848,000 BAM and the Municipality of Ključ 74,000 BAM. Overall, the Regional Housing Programme has allocated 123 million BAM for Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing homes for around 9,000 refugees, displaced persons and returnees.
The Mayor of the Kljuc Municipality, Nedžad Zukanović, stressed the importance of this project, which ensures better conditions for the future life of its beneficiaries. “Today, these people have been given a chance for a better future, a better quality of life, and we hope that things will be even better in future.” Federation Minister of Displaced Persons and Refugees Nerin Dizdar said this Programme shows how to help people in a concrete way. “I am happy that we can provide accommodation to our most vulnerable fellow citizens in buildings like this one throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. These projects best show who is the key partner and friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU. These buildings are of high quality, and the project is the result of our exceptional cooperation, support and trust.”
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees has been the lead institution in terms of implementing the Regional Housing Programme. The Ministry has entrusted the implementation of sub-projects to the Federal Ministry of Displaced Persons and Refugees, the Republika Srpska Secretariat for Displaced Persons and Migration, and the Department for Displaced Persons, Refugees and Housing Issues of the Government of the Brčko District of BiH.
One of the beneficiaries who received keys to a new home today, Sabina Halilović, emphasized the great importance of this program for all beneficiaries. “We have been renting for years and are so happy to have finally solved our housing issue. I am grateful to everyone who participated in implementing this Programme, and my wish is that everyone, who is in a similar situation as myself, solves their housing issue“.
