The Tenants’ Association of Montenegro has called for greater transparency regarding social housing under the jurisdiction of the Capital City of Podgorica.
“Our goal is to obtain accurate and clear information about the current availability of social housing, as well as the criteria for allocation,” stated the non-governmental organization in a press release.
The Association emphasized its request for public access to the list of social housing beneficiaries, in compliance with data protection laws, and transparency regarding the recipients of social housing.
“We demand the updating of criteria for the allocation of social housing. We believe that the criteria should better reflect the actual needs of citizens, particularly tenant families, as well as the planning of new social housing projects. We are seeking information on upcoming projects and how non-governmental organizations like ours can contribute to their implementation,” the statement reads.
The Tenants’ Association of Montenegro has submitted a request to participate in the session of the Podgorica City Assembly to present concrete proposals regarding the city’s budget.
“We believe it is crucial to allocate funds for subsidizing tenant families and request that a symbolic amount of one million EUR be set aside from the city budget to support those most in need,” said the Association representatives.
Their proposals include subsidizing housing costs—directing funds to assist families without formal rental agreements, implementing a transparent system for allocating subsidies based on income, family size, and socio-economic factors, as well as a temporary measure for tenants without contracts—allowing them to submit housing assistance requests using alternative proof of residence.
“We also propose public access to social housing information. We demand the publication of the number and utilization of social housing and the establishment of a tenants’ registry. We suggest creating such a registry to provide a clear picture of the real situation,” the statement concludes.
The Association has called on the local authorities for constructive dialogue and cooperation, as solving housing issues is crucial for the future of citizens.
“We want to actively contribute to improving the living conditions of tenant families and establishing fair and transparent systems. We kindly request to be informed about the session’s schedule and the procedure for our participation,” the statement concludes.
