Improving housing conditions in Yablanitsa

The video presents some facets of ROMACT work in Yablanistsa municipality, where 150 Roma are living in extremely poor housing and sanitary conditions, like Darinka, grandmother living with her grandkids and her husband in a one-bedroom shack with precarious access to water, sanitation, and electricity.

Ivelin, secretary of the municipality who was involved in the implementation of the ROMACT process at local level, explains how the municipality started working with our Programme in 2020. The Programme’s methodology allowed for a much closer contact between authorities and the people targeted. This led to regular meetings between the Community Action Group and the municipality, and a dedicated shelter was built to host people in need.

Furthermore, in 2021, ROMACT provided expertise assistance to the municipality for the technical design of a residential area. The main expertise areas included: geodesy, temporary organization and traffic safety, water supply and sewerage, electrification, safety and health guidelines, construction waste management and the fire safety of the planned residential area. This was the first step towards access to housing for vulnerable families. Next, the municipality offered the possibility to buy plots at a preferential price to support the social integration of marginalized Roma community and improving their housing conditions.