Press Releases
December 9, 2010
Armenia Housing Study: Socially vulnerable groups in Armenia lack access to decent housing
YEREVAN/ARMENIA (December, 9, 2010)-An influx of refugees after the conflict over Nagrono Karabakh in the late 80s and early 90s and the devastating 1988 earthquake that rendered 17 percent of the housing stock uninhabitable affected the housing situation in Armenia. At the same time, since independence, the government of Armenia has not yet developed a comprehensive national strategy to address housing problems effectively. Almost 20 years after, many families are still staying in temporary shelters and lack proper homes.
These are some of the conclusions drawn by the Armenian Housing Study, commissioned by Habitat for Humanity and prepared by the experts of the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development.
A few year ago, Habitat for Humanity initiated gathering of reliable and comparable information on the global housing policy environment. The organization is striving to develop a Global Housing Index for each country that will be determined though the regular collection and analysis of publicly available housing data.
The Armenia Housing Study, conducted around a methodology developed for Habitat's emerging Global Housing Index, is one of the first steps in this direction. It analyzes the current context, policies and environment that affect access to adequate housing in the country. It also identifies groups that lack access to adequate housing, reviews government, international agencies and private sector actions to identify good practices and opportunities for scaling up or replicating successful programs.
"Through this Housing Study we can get a whole picture of the housing environment and need in Armenia. The analysis and recommendations are useful for policy-makers, development professionals, nonprofit organizations and donors who are willing to work together to find long-term and sustainable solutions to the large demand for decent housing," said Siranush Vardanyan, program development manager at Habitat for Humanity Armenia.
"This
study is obviously not a prescription for the all housing
issues in Armenia, but we tried to analyze existing housing
problems, achievements of the Armenian Government and challenges.
Since 1989, a number of laws, regulations and strategies
have been adopted to handle the shelter problems of earthquake-displaced
and refugee households; to regulate property and land relationships;
to promote the development of a housing finance market in
Armenia; and to solve housing problems of the middle-income
population, however the Government of Armenia has not yet
developed a comprehensive national housing strategy to address
all housing problems effectively. We hope you will find
this research a helpful guide to developing working solutions
to bring about positive change" said Hayastan Stepanyan,
co-author, Legal Expert of the Urban Foundation for Sustainable
Development.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built and renovated more than 350,000 homes worldwide. In Europe and Central Asia, Habitat works in 20 countries with partners, donors and volunteers from the region. For more information, or to donate or volunteer,
visit www.habitateurope.org
About Habitat for Humanity Armenia
In Armenia, Habitat for Humanity renovated and repairs homes,
offers housing microfinance services and advocates for affordable
housing. It has been active since 2000 and has supported
more than 590 families. Find out more at www.habitat.am
About Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development
Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development promotes democratic transition in Armenia and decent living standards for its population. Founded in 2004, as the spin-off of the Urban Institute (Washington D.C.), UFSD is dedicated to achieving better living standards for vulnerable urban and rural populations through capacity building, promotion of good governance, improved environment and increased awareness of civil society issues. Find out more at www.urbanfoundation.am
Contact Details:
Naira
Abrahamyan
Communications Assistant
Habitat for Humanity Armenia
(+374 10) 587188, (+374 77) 106 203
nabrahamyan@habitat.am
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