Refugees from Karabakh offered a new social assistance program in Armenia
YEREVAN, December 25. /ARKA/. During a meeting on Thursday, the Armenian government sanctioned a new social assistance initiative aimed at specific groups of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees.
According to Arsen Torosyan, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, this new initiative is set to commence on July 1, 2026, targeting those who currently qualify for a housing certificate but cannot utilize it due to their family circumstances.
"This includes small families consisting of one to three members, some of whom have severe disabilities. We are providing them with an alternative solution—if they fulfill the criteria for obtaining a housing certificate (notably the requirement of Armenian citizenship) but find the amount insufficient to meet their needs," Torosyan explained.
As a result, they can enroll as beneficiaries of the Social Housing Fund Program and receive a monthly rent subsidy of 40,000 drams for a duration of 10 years.
Should the chance to transition into a social apartment for stable housing arise within that 10-year period, they may seize it; however, if they decline, they will be removed from the program.
The minister clarified that this is relevant for families that include individuals with first- and second-degree disabilities, or those aged over 60; if a family has two members, their total age must exceed 115 years; and for families of three, their combined age must surpass 175 years.
"The housing program's financial aid of 30,000 drams and 40,000+10,000 drams (covering rent and utilities - ed.) will conclude on December 31 (2025), but it will be extended through the end of 2026," Torosyan remarked.
Additionally, the Minister of Social Affairs announced the initiation of another program aimed at promoting self-employment for individuals displaced from Karabakh who have availed themselves of our housing initiative, which is intended to help establish small businesses.
The program includes business training courses worth up to 300,000 drams, business support for the beneficiary for up to 12 months at a monthly cost of 60,000 drams, and capital investment reimbursement of 70% of expenses, up to a maximum of 2 million drams.-0-
