Gov’t offers displaced families cash compensation instead of housing

The Georgian government will introduce a voluntary programme allowing internally displaced families to receive cash compensation instead of housing, with payments set at GEL 10,000 per family member, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Monday.

Under the programme, families that have not previously received housing or equivalent compensation will be able to apply to the relevant agency of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labour, Health and Social Affairs.

Applications will be processed in the order they are submitted, Kobakhidze said at a briefing at the government administration.

The government will allocate GEL 58 million for the programme this year, with funding expected to increase in subsequent years.

Kobakhidze said the scheme would operate alongside ongoing housing construction projects and the government’s rural housing programme, which will remain available to families that do not apply for cash compensation.

Since 2012, more than 45,000 displaced families have received newly built, fully equipped homes, the PM said. Nearly 2,000 families have also been able to purchase homes in rural areas with state support this year.

Once current construction projects are completed, a further 2,600 displaced families are expected to receive new apartments.

Kobakhidze said fully addressing the resettlement needs of displaced people through housing alone would take at least another 10 years.