The Georgian government has announced a new initiative to provide housing for up to 1000 homeless families with children nationwide. The program, which has a budget of 50 million GEL, will last until the end of 2025.
The Agency for Refugees, E-Migrants and Livelihood Provision introduced the program at a working meeting held in Guria, a region in western Georgia.
The meeting was attended by local officials, social service representatives, and the Deputy Director of the Agency, David Guramishvili.
According to Guramishvili, the program aims to improve the living conditions and social integration of families who are homeless or living in inadequate housing. The program will target families who have three or more minors and who are registered as socially vulnerable by the state.
The program will offer new living spaces to eligible families, either in existing buildings or newly constructed ones. The families will also receive support services, such as legal assistance, employment counselling, and education.
Guramishvili said that the program is part of the government’s efforts to address the issue of homelessness, which affects thousands of people in Georgia.
He added that the program will also contribute to the economic development and social cohesion of the regions where the housing projects will be implemented.
The state budget and donations from international organizations and private sector partners fund the program. The Agency for Refugees, E-Migrants and Livelihood Provision will coordinate the program in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, and the local municipalities.
The program is expected to start in the second half of 2024, after the completion of the selection process and the preparation of the housing sites. The program will cover all regions of Georgia, with a particular focus on rural and mountainous areas.
