Over 70 Buildings for Displaced Artsakh Residents May Be Converted into Social Housing

The program we've placed on the table may have individuals who, for objective reasons, cannot participate in it, receive assistance, or acquire or build housing. Therefore, there is a separate component for social housing. This was stated by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Narek Mkrtchyan, during the discussion on the execution of the 2023 state budget, while addressing the suggestion of Civil Contract faction member Sergey Bagratyan regarding what uninhabited residential areas in Armenia could be allocated to our compatriots forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

“At this moment, we have identified various buildings in about seven different communities, and we will carry out design and budgeting processes to begin active renovation and reconstruction works, where we’ll be able to accommodate over 1,000 individuals with similar statuses as beneficiaries of social housing. After that, we will explore other buildings as well, and we’ll already be able to expand since there will be more than 1,000 such beneficiaries,” the minister stated.

He also clarified that the discussion is not about uninhabited apartments but rather various buildings that could potentially be transformed into social housing. “We have already confirmed the housing provision program through the Government’s agenda, and a large-scale information campaign is underway,” he added, noting that the order must be established by June 15, after which the work will commence. “The beneficiaries of the program will exclusively be citizens of the Republic of Armenia,” the minister informed.