In Armenia, refugees criticize low value of housing certificates

The first phase of the housing programme for refugees from Azerbaijan is designed for the people who face the risk of eviction from dormitories, the Migration Service of Armenia reports. Refugees included in the lists claim that the money promised by the authorities is not enough to buy housing in Yerevan.

In November, the Armenian authorities announced the decision to issue certificates for the purchase of housing to families of refugees from Azerbaijan. Financial help is promised to 112 families. This is the first decision of the Armenian authorities within 11 years to help solve the housing problem of at least a small part of refugees.

At present, housing certificates are granted to refugees who live in former buildings of schools, hotels, and hospitals. A family will receive a housing certificate for the amount of about 23,000 US dollars for the purchase of a one-room apartment.

Laura Ananyan told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she together with her two children and her mother moved to Armenia from Ganja in 1988. They were accommodated in a 12-square-meter room at the "Nairi" Hotel in Yerevan.

According to Laura Ananyan, refugees have repeatedly held protest actions, including after the "velvet revolution" in spring 2018.

"The new government has heard our demands," Laura Ananyan said. However, the money promised by the authorities is too small, the woman complains.

Physical engineer Iveta Sheliyan moved to Yerevan from Baku in 1988. She has been living in the building of the "Nairi" Hotel for the 22nd year, but she cannot get used to the need to heat the water with a boiler and wash clothes by hands.

Ermine Ovsepyan, a mother of four children, said that she and her husband have no jobs and live on children's allowances and help from relatives. "We live in inhuman conditions," the woman said.