INTRODUCTIONRESULTS 2005.-2015.ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS IN 2015: FINALISED PROJECTS

1. Reconstruction and extension of Soup kitchen facilities in Šabac 2. Housing reconstruction and economic revitalization for the most

vulnerable families affected by floods

ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS IN 2015: ONGOING PROJECTS 1. Support to the closure of collective centres through improving the living

conditions of refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees 2. Housing reconstruction and economic revitalization for the most

vulnerable families affected by floods II

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS:1. ACTIVITY WITHIN NGO NETWORKS

a. Anty-Poverty Network – Serbia b. Standing Conference of Roma Associations of Citizens (SKRUG)c. Work Group for legalisation and improvement of substandard Roma

settlements

2. PARTICIPATION ON CONFERENCESa. Third European Housing Forumb. Conference on homelessness in Europe organised by FEANTSAc. Conference on social housing in Montenegro organised by Association

for Democratic Prosperity – ZID

3. ADVOCASY FOR RIGHT TO ADEQUATE HOUSING a. Consultation with UN Special Rapporteur for Right to Housing b. Participation in public discussion on draft of the Law on housing and

building maintenancec. Press Release on World Homeless Dayd. Press release on World Habitat Daye. Other press releases

4. DEVELOPMENT OF VOLONTEERING IN THE FIELD OF HOUSING 5. ACTIVITY ON THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA 6. GENERAL INFORMATION7. CONTACT

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INTRODUCTIONIn year 2015 Housing Center market its ten years anniversary and has entered its eleventh year of work. During 2015 we have often remembered our beginnings and analysing results we’ve reached so far, in which occasion we were both proud and joyful.

As in previous years in 2015 we have finalised some of the projects and initiated other. We are glad to have successfully closure of the project which ended, which were implemented in the good spirit of understanding and cooperation.

During 2015 Housing Center has:

• Shared joy with 125 families while they moved in their new or reconstructed houses. Almost 500 most vulnerable persons struck by flood have moved in their houses again due to our efforts,

• Helped reopen Soup kitchen in Šabac, which provides meals for 1.000 most vulnerable citizens – thanks to Housing Center’s initiative JTI Foundation has donated funds for reconstruction of the facility, and Housing Center has managed the process,

• Enabled and supervised construction of 36 flats in Šabac – we will share the joy of moving in with additional 36 families in spring 2016,

• Created architectural design for 27 most vulnerable Roma families who moved in their new flats in Orlovsko naselje and Jabučki rit, which was to pride and satisfaction of all beneficiaries and organisations who took part in implementation of the project.

I’d like to thank founders and members of Housing Center for standing by our joint values and for professional and dedicated work during 2015 as well, like in years that have passed. Branislava Žarković HC President

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RESULTS 2005-2015:- Improved living conditions of approx. 2000 / 642 families, - Constructed:

•314 housing units for Social Housing in Supportive Environment,•57 prefabricated houses for families affected by floods,•1 pre-school facility for Roma and Serbian children in Bujanovac,

- Reconstructed buildings/houses:•91 prefabricated houses for families affected by May 2014 floods• 27collectivecentresfor accommodation of refugees•Special hospital for pulmonary diseases in Jaša Tomić, •Soup Kitchen in Šabac •Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade

- Research conducted on:•Homelessness in Serbia• The effectofSocialHousinginSafeEnvironmentprojectonsocial

inclusion of beneficiaries and on homelessness in Serbia•GoodpracticeinRomahousing

- Organized conferences:• On Roma housing in Serbia• On concept of Social Housing in Supportive Environment

- Awards:•WORLD HABITAT AWARDS 2009 - finalist,•WORLD HABITAT AWARDS 2014 - finalist,• Golden Wheel Award winner (for special contribution to improvement

of position and quality of life of Roma community in Serbia),- Membership in FEANTSA, Anty-Poverty Network, and the Standing

Conference of Roma Associations of Citizens networks

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FINALISED PROJECTS:a. ReconstructionandextensionoftheSoupkitchenfacilities

in Šabac

On September 17th in Šabac ceremonial opening of the Soup kitchen reconstructed with support of the JTI Foundation in cooperation with the City of Šabac and Housing Center, was organized officially marking finalization of the project.

Soup kitchen facility provides one of the most important social care services in Šabac, by preparing 1050 meals for the most vulnerable citizens of Šabac, or 450 families each day. Soup kitchen facility was severely damaged in May 2014 during torrential rains which preceded catastrophic floods, when the rain water leaking through the roof caused short circuit in electrical installation resulting in the closure of the kitchen. Soup kitchen in Šabac was the only facility of such type to work without ever being closed since it was established in 2001. Due to improved functions facility has increased its capacities and will be able to serve almost double the number of meals if such need occurs.

City of Šabac cofounded 25% of the construction work costs, prepared main project documentation, and issued all permits required. Housing Center revised main project documentation, prepared tender documentation, selected contractor and its engineers and architects monitored quality and dynamics of the works regularly. Total cost of works is approx. RSD 15.5 million.

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b.Housingreconstructionandeconomicrevitalizationforthemostvulnerablefamiliesaffectedbyfloods

Housing Center was active in efforts to fix damages on private housing stock caused by floods in May 2014 and normalisation of living conditions for flood affected families in Serbia through the project of “Housing reconstruction and economic revitalization for the most vulnerable families affected by floods in Serbia“ financially supported by EU Delegation to Serbia, and in partnership with Arbeiter Sameriter Bund (ASB) as a lead partner, Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) and Divac Foundation. From August 2014 to February 2015 Housing Center worked on implementation of the project in 4 municipalities – Šid, Bajina Bašta, Loznica and Šabac. Apart from these project was implemented also in: Valjevo, Osečina, Ljubovija and Mali Zvornik.

By establishing strong partnerships, mobilizing its expert and technical resources, and relying on its 10-year experience, Housing Center managed to successfully perform the reconstruction of 111 flood-affected houses in 7 months, more specifically reconstruction of 91 damaged houses and construction of 20 new prefabricated houses. In addition to housing reconstruction and construction aid, all beneficiary families have been provided with the necessary furniture and home appliances. The value of works carried out by Housing Center amounts to about EUR 927,000.00, while the total value of the project is EUR 3 mil.

Through the project of reconstruction, Housing Center has covered 111 most vulnerablehouseholds(409persons) in the aforementioned municipalities – the families of unfavourable socio-economic status whose vulnerability is amplified by other vulnerability factors: disability, age, chronic illness,

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greater number of under-age children, dependent household members, poor living conditions, minority status or belonging to a discriminated part of population.

By applying the appropriate methodology, HC ensured that the support reaches the flood-affected households which are at the highest risk of social exclusion, as evidenced by the following statistics:

1. Two thirds of the project beneficiaries capable of work (65%) do not haveanyincome, while one in four families covered by the project has only one employed member;

2. Average beneficiary family income is significantly below povertythreshold (twice lower), and is three times lower than average salary at national level;

3. Almost 50% of beneficiaries are dependent household members – under-age children and the elderly;

4. The number of single-member households whose members are older than 60 and who are therefore particularly vulnerable due to insufficient health and financial capacity, make 11% of the total number of the families supported by the project;

5. No less than one third of the families who have been provided with the reconstruction aid lived in substandardlivingconditions, that is, in the houses lacking basic infrastructure (without bathrooms, water or electricity supply). Within the project, these families have been provided with the access to basic housing standard through installation of toilets and connection to sewage, water and electrical supply networks.

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S ONGOING PROJECTS a. Supporttotheclosureofcollectivecentresthroughimproving

thelivingconditionsofrefugees,internallydisplacedpersonsand returnees

Since February 2014 Housing Center together with Initiative for Development and Cooperation - IDC is implementing project which aims to improve living conditions and social inclusion of forced migrants in Serbia, especially those residing in collective centres in Šabac and Bujanovac. The project has been developed according to the “National Strategy for Resolving the Problems of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)”, and it assists the government of the Republic of Serbia and the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia in their endeavour to close down collective centres.

Specific aims of the project are:• To provide adequate housing and give support to the most vulnerable

categories of refugees, internally displaced persons, and returnees, accommodated in collective centres, through the construction of housing units (within Social Housing in Supportive Environment, or provision of prefabricated houses) in three municipalities/towns in Serbia

• To assistintheprocessofclosingatleast3collectivecentres in Serbia

Activities implemented in 2015: • Construction of 36 housing units for Social Housing in Supportive

Environment in Šabac, in progress, • Installation of 10 prefabricated houses for beneficiaries in Bujanovac –

families already moved in,• Technical and administrative preparation activities for installation of 17

prefabricated houses in Šabac performed,• Identification and selection of beneficiaries for each of the two housing

solutions, • Provision of different means of support to beneficiaries with the aim of

promoting their social integration. In 2015 total of 761 support services were provided.

Expected results are:6. 36 families of internally displaced persons/refugees/returnees residing in

collective centres as well as local socially vulnerable families are able to integrate into society owing to the housing solutions and additional help within the model of SocialHousinginSupportiveEnvironment;

7. 27 families of internally displaced persons/refugees/returnees residing in collective centres are able to integrate into society owing to the construction of prefabricated houses;

8. The processofclosureof3collectivecentresinSerbiaisencouraged;

Project is implemented with financial support from the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia.

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b. Continuous support in housing reconstruction andeconomic revitalization of flood-affected areas in Serbia

In August 2015 Housing Center together with Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) as a lead partner, Initiative for development and Cooperation (IDC), and Foundation Ana and Vlade Divac started implementation of the new project “Continuous support in housing reconstruction and economic revitalization of flood-affected areas in Serbia”. Funds in the amount of 3,3 million € are donated by the Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Serbia, within the EU program supporting recovery of floods affected areas in Serbia.

Objectives of the action are to support the normalization of housingconditions for 490 flood affected families and support the economic revitalization of 150 flood affected enterprises in Valjevo, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Ljubovija, Osečina, Bajina Bašta, Šid, Šabac and Obrenovac.

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S Housing Center is engaged on the provision of durable housing solutions in 5 municipalities – Šid, Bajina Bašta, Loznica, Šabac and, together with other partners, in Obrenovac, and is performing following activities:

• Identification of beneficiaries in need of housing reconstruction/construction support in 5 municipalities and performing beneficiary selection process;

• Conducting field visits and preparing technical specifications for housing reconstruction/construction;

• Supervision of works, conducting technical handovers and coordination of all necessary activities aimed at: - Reconstructionofatleast150housingunits (out of total of 475 housing

units reconstructed within the project);- Instalment of at least 8 prefabricated housing units (out of total of 15

housing units installed within the project) and performing necessary infrastructure/ground works;

In 2015 Housing Center has performed filed visits and technical identification of over 400 damaged housing units, finished selection of beneficiaries in all 5 municipalities, prepared technical specifications for 2 out of 3 planned tenders for selection of contractor. Start of reconstruction is planned for February 2016.

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OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS:1. ACTIVITY WITHIN NGO NETWORKS a.Anty-PovertyNetwork–Serbia

Housing Center joined Anty-Poverty Network – Serbia comprise of over 20 NGOs in 2011.

-ParticipationontheNetworkmeetings

Housing Center participated on regular annual Assembly of the Network held on October 6th 2015 and on the meeting held on December 23rd 2015.

-Participation on the 14th European Meeting of People experiencingPoverty

U14th European Meeting of People experiencing Poverty „Social Standards in the EU: A strategic dialogue meeting with People experiencing Poverty on a Commission proposal for a European Social Protection Floor” was held in Brussels on November 19th and 20th 2015, organised by European Anti-Poverty Network with support from EU Commission and Luxemburg currently presiding the Council of Europe. Four member delegation represented national Anti-Poverty Network – Serbia: representative of the NGO Romani Cikna from Kruševac, representative of the NGO Group 484, from Belgrade, beneficiary and member of host family from Social Housing in Supportive Environment building in Niš, and representative of the NGO Housing Center, from Belgrade.

14 European Meeting of People experiencing Poverty aimed to enable consultation between European Commission and people experiencing poverty and strengthen their participation in policies that affect them. It is expected that the outcomes of this Year’s meeting will feed into current social policies and initiative at European level, especially the Annual 10

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Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion that is likely to take place in Spring 2016, as well as into the document which is currently being prepared by European Commission which is meant to initiate new efforts to reduce poverty and social exclusion.

In addition to this consultation, it is also envisaged that this year’s meeting will provide a more open space for the delegations of people experiencing poverty to share their stories on how they experience poverty, what they do to combat it and what support they expect from authorities. The aim behind this session is to acknowledge and give validation for the expertise and work that people experiencing poverty contribute to achieve social inclusion. It aims to create a space for mutual exchange and learning and to develop solidarity between people and communities experiencing diverse forms of poverty within Europe, as well as possibilities for new joint projects.

Over 150 persons took part in this year Meeting, four member delegations of people experiencing poverty from 30 countries in Europe, EU officials and other policy makers, students, members of media.

-Preparationofjointpressreleases

October 17th, World Anti-poverty Day On World Anti-poverty Day Antipoverty Network - Serbia appealed to Government of Serbia, relevant Ministries and other institutions to include poverty reduction as a priority in all development strategies, as well as to urgently improve employment and social care strategies and their implementation in order to stop further impoverishment of citizens and ensure sustainable development.

October 10th, World Homeless DayPovodom 10. oktobra, svetskog dana ljudi sa iskustvom beskućništva, On World Homeless Day Antipoverty Network – Serbia, on initiative of Housing Center, reminded the public that homelessness is one of the most extreme forms of poverty and social exclusion. Within the Europe 2020 EU has set a goal to lift 20 million of people from poverty and social exclusion by the year 2020. Fight against poverty presents one of the top political priorities of the EU countries and candidate countries should follow this example.

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b. Standing Conference of Roma Associations of Citizens (SKRUG)

Housing Center is a member of SKRUG, gathers together 75 civil society organisations and over 400 Roma activists, and it has been advocating for the interests of Roma community in Serbia for the past ten years. It strives to ensure continuous and effective implementation of established Strategy for improving the status of Roma and the accompanying Action Plan, and by doing so improve the process of achieving the goals of Roma Inclusion Decade. SKRUG aims to: develop and improve position and rights of Roma and monitor implementation of policies related to Roma community.

- Housing Center took part on annual Assembly of SKRUG held on March 30th 2015, and reported on activities of the Housing Board.

- On 28.7.2015, the Housing Board of the Standing Conference of Roma Associations of Citizens (SKRUG), whose work is coordinated by Housing Center, published a press release on the occasion of the city government’s intention to carry out forced evictions of families living in informalsettlement Grmeč in Belgrade. In this press release, SKRUG’s Housing Board opposes the forced evictions carried out in the way that is not in line with international standards, that is, without prior announcement, consultations and alternative accommodation being offered, and it urges the government to take responsibility for improving Roma housing.

Housing Center has coordinated work of the SKRUGs Housing Board since it was formally established. In September 2015 has decided to finalise its mandate and notified SKRIGs Managing Board of its decision.

c.HousingCenterwasinvitedtoWorkGroupfor legalisationandimprovementofsubstandardRomasettlements Housing Center received invitation from Ecumenical Humanitarian organisation from Novi Sad to join Work Group for legalisation and improvement of substandard Roma settlements it plans to form in 2016. Meeting where the forming of the Work Group was announced and where experts who will comprise the group meet was held on November 27th 2015 in Novi Sad.

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2. PARTICIPATION ON CONFERENCES

In 2015 Housing Center took part in following conferences:

a. Third Europe Housing Forum

Housing Center participated on 3rd Housing Forum jointly organized by Habitat for Humanity, UN Habitat, UNECE, UNDP and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Forum was held in Berlin from 18 to 20 November 2015 with the aim to stimulate discussions and serve as a launching point for shaping practical recommendations to help demonstrate how housing can play a crucial role in successfully improving social and economic conditions across Europe.

Forum gathered about 150 experts from different field – policy makers, urban planners, private sector players, donor agencies, international organizations, and NGOs. The program was focused on three key topics facing Europe’s citizens and nations - affordability, sustainability and liveability. Forum offered opportunity to define new goals and solutions as well as creating specific recommendations related to ensuring access to adequate and safe housing and work conditions.

Representative of the Housing Center was the panellist on the second conference day, on the workshop devoted to housing sustainability. She presented Housing Center and its work, as well as the concrete experiences and achievements in housing sector in Serbia. The presentation opened alive discussion which broth lot of recommendations for the conference conclusions.

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b. Conference on Homelessness organised by FEANTSA

In the period from 18.06.2015 to 20.06.2015, the Housing Center took part in a conference titled Homelessness – a Local Phenomenon with a European Dimension – Key Steps to Connect Communities to Europe, organised by FEANTSA, the European network of organisations working with the homeless. The conference took place at the Paris City Hall, as well as on several locations on the territory of Paris where a number of working meetings, workshops, and visits to ongoing homelessness services were organised.

The aim of the conference was to connect European and local realities in the field of homelessness, in order to pave the way toward effective homelessness policies across the European Union. Over 300 experts in the field discussed good practice examples and explored the role of Europe in fighting homelessness. The key question addressed was how to connect different levels – local, regional, national and European – in order to make a decisive impact on homelessness, but the key themes also included free movement and homelessness; national homelessness strategies; making use of the EU’s structural and investment funds; public financing models; international legal instruments; youth homelessness; domestic violence; data; housing markets; rough sleeping; healthcare and Housing First model.

Housing Center had a chance to present its ten-year experience with developing Social Housing in Supportive Environment model, a model whose characteristics and structure are similar to Housing First model. With the capacity of over 2,000 flats constructed and put into function of Social Housing in Supportive Environment so far in Serbia, Housing Center displayed a relevant good practice example, which places Serbia shoulder to shoulder with other European countries that develop housing accompanied with additional support services for their most vulnerable citizens

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c. Conference on social housing in Montenegro organised by AssociationforDemocraticProsperity–ZID

Housing Center participated in the conference ”The Directions inDevelopmentofSocialHousingPoliciesandSecuringaRight toHousingthroughtheConstitutionofMontenegro”which took place on 26 February 2015 in Podgorica. The conference was organized by the Network for Social Housing Development in Montenegro including the Association for Democratic Prosperity – ZID, the Union of Free Trade Syndicates of Montenegro, the Union of Non-Governmental Organizations Libertask and Roma Youth organization. The conference aimed at presenting the concept of social housing and programs dealing with the issue of housing in the region, as well as at promoting the initiativeforamendingtheConstitutionofMontenegrotoensurethecitizenswithoneofthefundamentalhumanrights–righttohousing.

Housing Center participants presented the situation in the field of social housing in the region and familiarized the attendees with the activities of Housing Center in the field of advocating for the right to dignified living. The presentation of the social housing projects implemented by Housing Center in Serbia gained great attention.

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3. ADVOCASY FOR RIGHT TO ADEQUATE HOUSING a. Consultation with UN Special Rapporteur for Right to

Housing

Housing Center participated in consultations with UN Special Rapporteur for Right to Housing Leilani Farha, during her visit to Serbia from May 18th to May 25th 2015. The Special Rapporteur’s visit to Serbia has come at an ideal time with a national housing law in the works. So inputs and comments by HC and other NGOs helped her formulate messages related to the draft Law. Housing Center informed her on most significant initiatives related to housing of most vulnerable in Serbia and suggested she visit Shelter for Adults and Elderly in Belgrade. In her press release UN Special Rapporteur for Right to Housing stated following: „eventhough most housing stock in Serbia is in private ownership this does not garantee adequate housing since both homeowners and renters alike face verz high costs of heating, electricitz and other costs which make adequate housing less accessible.“

She has also stated that “Roma housing conditions are egregious; they continue to be targeted for eviction with its devastating consequences. Allowing this to continue exacerbates discrimination, stigmatization and exclusion”.

The human rights expert noted that the courts in Serbia have yet to fully embrace international human rights law and have failed to ensure access to legal remedies for violations of the right to adequate housing. “Serbia has an obligation to ensure that housing is protected as a legal right that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, can claim”.

b. Participation in public discussion on draft of the Law onhousing and building maintenance

Housing Center took active part in public discussion on the draft of the Law on housing and building maintenance. Ministry of construction, transportation and infrastructure organised public discussion from November 18th to December 7th 2015 and Housing Center participated on round table in Belgrade and sent written comments, of which most important are:

1. Includingsingleparents,womensufferingviolenceandRomaingroupstohavepriorityinhousingsupportprograms-social housing, being that all three groups face significant difficulties in acquiring adequate housing under market conditions. Law on Social Housing from 2009 already recognized single parents and Roma as groups in need of support and prioritisation, thus excluding them from this Law would mean step back in achieved level of rights even though socioeconomic position of these groups has not changed since 2009. In addition to this numerous research registered that violence is common cause of homelessness amongst women, even though it can be hidden because women tend to remain in violent relationships because of lack of choices or to avoid homelessness,

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which is the reason why this group should also be awarded priority in housing support programs.

2. EnsuringpossibilityforanNGOtoperformtasksofthenon-profithousingagency: existing draft envisages that non-profit housing agency ca only be established by local self-government. Again such solution would present a step back in comparison to Law on Social Housing from 2009 which allowed for pluralism of forms of non-profit housing agencies, which is now being reduced to only those established and run by local government by the draft of the new Law thus failing to build on extensive experience accumulated in civil sector which can help further development of social housing system in Serbia.

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c. Press Release on World Homeless Day On occasion of World Homeless Day Housing Center issued press release stating that in last couple of years homelessness is on the rise in all European states due to economic crisis and austerity measures, but also due to the refugee crisis caused by prolonged conflicts in other regions of the world. World refugee crisis dimensions of which are witnessed by citizens of Serbia as well is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of the housing for safe and dignified life. Housing Center firmly believes that we, citizens of Serbia, are part of the broader political community which needs to search for joint solution in such critical times and built pan European and world wide solidarity.

Apart from this Housing Center reminded that homelessness is the most extremeformofthesocialexclusion which doesn’t recognize borders and as such requires joint, coordinated approach and by being universal reminds all of the need for solidarity and understanding. Housing Center believes that homelessness can be eliminated and calls for Serbia to join European countries which have adopted policy of zero tolerance regarding homelessness – no one in Serbia should be homeless because ensuring adequate housing as abasichumanneedisnecessaryinorderforoursocietytobejustandtodeveloptothefullestpotential.

For this reasons Housing Center called for:

• Changes in existing law which would end treatment of homelessness as a misdemeanour.

• Understandingofhomelessnessasasociallyinducedstateofvulnerabilitywhich requires organized action of the society to be adopted.

• System of comprehensiveandregularmonitoring of the homelessness to be developed and ensured by the relevant institutions as a prerequisite of efficient policies of homelessness eradication..

• HousingexclusionofRoma in Serbia not to be treated as a cultural specific, but as a homelessness issue.

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• New capacities of social housing to be developed and financed from the public budget and to ensure their availability to the most vulnerable citizens.

• The support to be provided by the state to the civilsectorinitiativesaimed at development of innovative programs for empowerment of homeless and prevention of homelessness.

d. Press release on World Habitat Day With this press release Housing Center joins hundreds of organizations worldwide who celebrate this World Habitat Day, whose motto in 2015 is Public Spaces for All. In this occasion Housing Center pointed to the importance of the public spaces for the quality of life of all citizens andespeciallymostvulnerable:

„Public space is one of the most important resources in urban surroundings because it represents material, spatial basis of the public life and social integration of the individual. Housing Center firmly believes that public space belongs to all citizens and that it needs to be accessible to all regardless of gender, age, financial status or physical capability. Through interventions in public spaces through which they get remodelled and revitalized, socially responsible communities improve quality of life of its citizens, especially most vulnerable ones, and create conditions for their inclusion into the public life of the community“. „Housing Center also believes that broad census needs to be achieved regarding use and management of the public space, and that balance between economic growth and public interests must be ensured. Housing Center thus indicates the necessity of participative design and management of the public space with broad involvement of the public, instrumental for articulation of the public interest. For this reasons we are reminding responsible institutions of the obligation to include citizens into the public space related decision making process, supporting initiatives aimed at safeguarding public interest in this field and encourage citizens to use public spaces freely and joyfully, but to also take responsibility for its shaping through activism“.

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e. Other press releases

Housing Centar has also forwarded press releases of other relevant entities active in the field of housing of vulnerable groups:

- As a member of FEANTSA network (European Federation of National Organizations working with the Homeless), on January 12th 2015 Housing Center is forwarding the Press Release regarding the increasing number of homeless people in EU. The Press Release encloses statistics from a number of countries pointing a worrying trend and the necessity of society’s urgent response. The European Union’s institutions, as well as the governments of the member states place a high political priority on this issue asking for prompt formulation of housing and social welfare policies in order to prevent further expansion of homelessness.

- Housing Center has also forwarded Press Release of Special UN Rapporteur for Right to Housing she issued after visiting Serbia in May 2015.

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4. DEVELOPMENT OF VOLONTEERING IN THE FIELD OF HOUSING

In 2015 Housing Center continued to nurture volunteering. By mobilising volunteers Housing Center hopes to promote human right to adequate and dignified housing, as well as importance of social housing among youth, especially students of related fields and other interested young people

a.VolunteerfromTurkeyIn July and August 21-year-old volunteer from Turkey joined HC team. She is a sophomore student of architecture in Istanbul whose interests also encompass the sphere of social welfare, making her particularly focused on the social dimension of architecture. Her six weeks practice was facilitated by student network AIESEC.“Here at Housing Center I found both work and family environment, and because of that I can ask any question comfortably and get answers about the subjects I am interested in. I am very happy about the ability to learn so much from this internship and I am truly glad to be here.” Volunteer from Turkey

b.Volunteers on the project of housing reconstruction afterfloodsIn September and October 2015 Housing Center welcomed 4 students of architecture who took part in project “Continuous support in housing reconstruction and economic revitalization of flood-affected areas in Serbia” implemented by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) as a lead partner together with Housing Center, Initiative for development and Cooperation (IDC), and Foundation Ana and Vlade Divac, with funds from Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Serbia. Volunteers have been following HC architects in filed work and visits to houses damaged by floods, participating in recording of the existing damages, producing of an architectural designand technical reports on the houses and editing photo documentation. This volunteering engagement provided them with opportunity to obtain valuable professional experience, and unique opportunity to develop solidarity and provide support to families affected by natural disaster, while HC team was enriched with their optimism and energy.

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5. ACTIVITY ON THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA Housing Centers web site is updated regularly and communicates important news on our work.

• Total number of visits for HC web site in 2015 is 20,255. Out of these 67.2% users visited HC site in 2015 for the first time, while 32.8% are regular visitors.

• Most visitors browse from Serbia 67,7%, while the others browse from Bosnia, Germany, USA, Montenegro, UK, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, etc.

• Highest number of visits (80) on single day was recorded on January 26th 2015, and most visited pages on the web site are pages on Social Housing in Supportive Environment, information on Housing Center, information on projects and so forth.

• Average time spent on HC web site is 3 minutes.

HC is active on social media:

• Total number of followers on HCs Facebook page is 140, 87 more when compared to last year.

• Post on FB page with highest reach was public announcement related to World Homeless Day.

• In 2015. HC has posted total of 180tweetsonTwitter, and has 74 followers.

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N HOUSING CENTERHousing Development Center for Socially Vulnerable Groups

GENARAL INFORMATIONHOUSING CENTER is a non-profit, non-governmental organization the objective of which is to improve the living conditions of socially vulnerable groups and support to their social integration and independence. Housing Center was established in 2004 relying on ten-year experience of SDC Housing Office Belgrade (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), when it was founded by 18 founders – colleagues and associates gathered around the implementation of the construction projects funded by SDC in Serbia. In 2009 Housing Center was registered as a citizens’ association in compliance with the Law on Associations.VISION of Housing Center is a society organized in accordance with the humane and democratic principles, where each individual is enabled to live a dignified and secured life, which provides a supporting system for the marginalized groups and in which differences are valued positively.MISSION of Housing Center is to provide, through different activities (construction of housing units, support in social integration, research, public advocacy, education and other), professional support in better understanding and achieving of human economic, social and cultural rights.

ACTIVITIESHousing Center achieves its mission through a number of activities: 1. Developmentofhousingforsociallyvulnerablegroups:

- Identification of needs and development of partnerships, - Identifying most suitable housing model and creating architectural design, - Managing housing construction and reconstruction projects, - Supervision over construction process.

2.Instigatingsocialinclusionofsociallyvulnerablegroups:- Establishing and developing capacities of a new service in the social welfare system

of the Republic of Serbia - Social housing in supportive environment;- Ensuring preconditions for establishing „supportive environment” for most

vulnerable 3. Researchworkinthefieldofhousingofsociallyvulnerablegroups:

- Research work on identifying problems related to housing of socially vulnerable groups and finding the most efficient and sustainable solutions

- Participation in defining solutions for substandard informal settlements - Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the services of the social

welfare system.4.Advocacyandpromotionofhumanrighttoadequatehousing:

- Advocating right to adequate housing as one of the basic human rights - Promotion of regional cooperation in the field of housing for socially vulnerable

groups5.Improvementanddevelopmentofprofessionalknowledge:

- Planning and organization of discussions, round tables and conferences as a method for exchange and expansion of the professional knowledge

- Creation of the training for social workers and other professionals in relevant fields- Creation of training and work on awareness raising of socially vulnerable groups

6.Publicationandvideoproduction:- Production of printed and video material aiming at the promotion of the right to

dignified housing as a basic human right- Publication of various material - academic articles, practical guides, research results

related to housing of socially vulnerable groups;- Publication of the annual report on the activities of Housing Center.

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TACT

HOUSING CENTERHousing Development Center for Socially Vulnerable Groups

10 Nušićeva St.11120 Belgrade | Serbiatel/fax +381 11 334 73 31 www.housingcenter.org.rsoffice@housingcenter.org.rs