Associations claim first property program for mothers with children not applied equally

Associations representing refugees and displaced persons in Serbia assert that a government subsidy program for mothers buying their first property has been inconsistently applied. They claim the program lacks transparency and equal treatment for all citizens who meet the legal requirements.

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The association points out that there is growing public distrust in the way certain support programs are implemented, primarily due to the impression that access to certain rights in practice is not always equal for everyone, but depends on administrative, local, or indirect factors that should not influence the realization of legally guaranteed rights.

The groups point to growing public distrust in the implementation of support programs. They argue that access to certain rights is often influenced by administrative, local, or indirect factors, rather than solely by legal entitlement. This, they state, undermines the guaranteed rights of citizens.

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We believe that the state, if it wants this measure to truly fulfill its purpose, must ensure complete equality in its application. Otherwise, even the best legal frameworks can be compromised in practice.

To address these concerns, the associations are calling for subsidies to be allocated based on clear, publicly accessible criteria. They also demand that the approval process be fully depoliticized and centralized within expert bodies. Their aim is to ensure that every individual meeting the legal conditions has an equal, unconditional, and direct right to support, free from any undue influence.

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This Association will continue to monitor the implementation of the program and insist on full legality, transparency, and equal access to rights for all citizens of Serbia.

The program, initially announced by President Aleksandar Vučić in November 2021 as a population policy measure, aimed to provide state grants for down payments on homes for mothers. The law was amended at the end of 2021, allocating 10 billion dinars (approximately 85 million euros) for this purpose. Mothers can claim this subsidy until their child's first birthday, provided they do not own another property and their combined income with their partner does not exceed double the average salary in Serbia. Despite continued implementation, difficulties have been reported since the program's inception.

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The state will give non-refundable participation for apartments to young married couples. Ownership will be registered to the mother, which will be a great measure that will mean a lot to young couples, but will also encourage construction.