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Serbia grants housing subsidies to 54 mothers
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Economy & Trade

Serbia grants housing subsidies to 54 mothers

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Serbia's Ministry for Family and Demographics has awarded subsidies to 54 mothers for purchasing or building their first home, allocating approximately 900,000 euros.
  • The program offers mothers up to 20% of the property value, capped at 20,000 euros, for first-time homebuyers who have given birth.
  • The initiative, launched in 2022, aims to support families and boost Serbia's population, though some families have faced bureaucratic hurdles.

Serbia's Ministry for Family and Demographics has provided financial support to 54 mothers, enabling them to acquire their first property. The state has allocated around 900,000 euros for these subsidies, which are specifically aimed at mothers who have recently given birth.

Every decision we hand out today represents a new beginning for a family. Behind every number are parents who want their children to grow up safely in a home where they will build their future.

โ€” Jelena ลฝariฤ‡ Kovaฤeviฤ‡Minister for Family and Demographics, speaking at the subsidy award ceremony.

Minister Jelena ลฝariฤ‡ Kovaฤeviฤ‡ presented the subsidy decisions, emphasizing the program's role in providing families with secure homes. She stated that each subsidy represents a new beginning, investing in families and Serbia's future. The program offers financial assistance of up to 20% of the property's value, with a maximum of 20,000 euros, for mothers who are first-time property owners.

Therefore, this measure is not just financial support, but a concrete investment in the family and the future of Serbia.

โ€” Jelena ลฝariฤ‡ Kovaฤeviฤ‡Minister for Family and Demographics, emphasizing the program's strategic importance.

This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to address demographic challenges. President Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ‡ announced the program in late 2021, with funds earmarked for mothers giving birth from January 1, 2022. The goal is to encourage population growth by making homeownership more accessible to young families. Eligibility requires mothers to not own another property and for household income, including a partner's, not to exceed double the average salary in Serbia.

The state will provide non-reimbursable down payments 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 it will also encourage construction.

โ€” Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ‡President of Serbia, announcing the program in November 2021.

Despite the program's aims, some families have encountered difficulties. Reports have surfaced of mothers being denied subsidies due to submitting a finalized purchase agreement instead of a preliminary contract, or facing lengthy waiting periods for commission decisions. These bureaucratic obstacles highlight the gap between policy intention and practical implementation for some applicants.

Theory is one thing, and in practice there are many obstacles, and we, in fact, do not know how it proceeds in practice, and then we are to blame ourselves for not doing it the way someone imagined.

โ€” Katarina Jelisavฤiฤ‡ Markoviฤ‡A mother who faced difficulties obtaining the subsidy, speaking to N1.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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