July 8, 2010 - 12:40 AMT
Netherlands supports development of social housing in Armenia

Social Housing Project is being implemented in Armenian regions and Yerevan by a consortium of several Armenian and Dutch organizations. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop sustainable institutional foundations for promoting and managing affordable housing in Armenia.

“We have had a rapid start up of the program,” said Ara Nazinyan, the Director of the Social Housing Foundation. “Today, we can report progress in the project implementation in all directions. The most important achievement is the formation of Stakeholders’ Working Group, which includes government representatives, regional and municipal leaders.”

“This is our first visit to Armenia in the framework of Social Housing Project. Social housing has over 100 years of history in our country and is considered to be one of the best worldwide. We are glad to assist Armenia in developing its own capacities for social affordable housing,” said Marie-Odile Zanders, project leader and regional coordinator at Dutch International Guarantees for Housing.

“The important initiative builds upon successful experience in our region in developing social humanitarian housing. At the same time, it is a big step forward in creating new capacities and opportunities for addressing one of the pressing needs of rural municipalities, housing for low and middle income groups,” said Ara Dolunts, Deputy Governor of Syunik region of Armenia.