Rama stated that from 2018 to 2026, 30,904 families have been supported throughout Albania through the housing programs.

The prime minister also recalled the objective announced last year to support 50 thousand families by 2030.

“When we presented our governing program last year, we made a promise that went beyond the elections. We set a goal to help 50,000 families own their own homes by 2030 through these various housing initiatives”, he said.

Rama emphasized that the objective of 50 thousand families was not a promise related to the electoral campaign, but part of the governing responsibility.

He underlined that the results so far, with over 30 thousand families supported, constitute the basis on which we shall pursue the housing policy. /gj.m/a.f/p.s./

The activities were organized under the auspices of State Police Director General Ilir Proda, as a gesture of institutional respect and gratitude for their sacrifice in the service of the country.

According to police, the meetings aim to strengthen moral support and maintain ongoing ties with the families of fallen officers, extending beyond the holiday period.

1 of 9

/j.p/u.sh/

The Ministry reported that for the first time, there is being drafted a law on foster families, a step that guarantees that no child is left without care.

According to the ministry, this draft law, proposed by this ministry, protects the rights of children without parental care or at risk of losing them, by placing them in a safe, supportive and inclusive family environment, always in accordance with the principle of the best interest of the child.

The new Law on Alternative Care, which is being finalized, is one of the main pillars of the deinstitutionalization reform and a key commitment within the framework of Chapter 23 of the accession negotiations into the European Union.

The law is expected to modernize the entire care system for children who cannot grow up with their parents, setting new standards in guaranteeing the best interest of the child and building a functional model of professional care. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj visited the new residential neighbourhood on Saturday, highlighting the high quality construction work, the modern infrastructure and full access to quality private and public services, parks and sport grounds.

Once the lot is drawn, the quake-affected families will move into the new homes,

“I would like that best preparations are made primarily for the lot drawing process for these 205 apartments. We are talking about 400 families that will move into new houses and we ultimately address the housing plight for the affected families in this area,” Veliaj said.

Veliaj called on political parties to refrain from hampering housing and other public projects in the Albanian capital, saying the post-earthquake reconstruction projects would have completed much earlier.

The new residential complex in the “5 Maji” area has been designed by the renowned Italian architect Stefano Boeri and it is expected to house more than 11,000 citizens. The complex is designed to become  new polycentric centre of Tirana, featuring a new approach of urban, economic and social development, with modern infrastructure and access to quality private and public services, including schools, kindergartens, shopping centres, parks and recreational spaces, as well as state institutions buildings.

1 of 4

/k.s/u.sh/

Present at the ceremony organized on this occasion, Prime Minister Edi Rama assured that, “This is just the beginning of a new path of long-term support for the young families of those who serve the state day and night and the citizens of the Republic of Albania.”

The prime minister emphasized that this house loan program for all those who have young families with all interests taken over to be paid by the state makes it completely possible for them to get a loan and buy a house.

“Today, the bank interest is over 6%. That’s a lot for someone living with only one salary. It is not easy for the banks to give this loan, considering the perspective, while having a loan without any interest, the rate changes completely”, said Rama.

The prime minister assured that this is a win-win program for all those involved.

“We had 300 quotas this year. It’s the first time. The process has had problems of a bureaucratic nature, but it is only the beginning. Next year, we will have the opportunity to expand the number and all these categories will have their own house”, said Rama./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that 70 new families will soon be accommodated in the new “5 May” neighborhood.

Rama shared in the social media photos from the new buildings constructed in this area and highlighted that 2 new buildings will be used by the state institutions.

The new “5 May” neighborhood in Tirana was designed by the well-known Italian architect Stefano Boeri.

It is being built from scratch following the quake for 11,000 residents and also aims to become a new polycentric center of Tirana, with a new approach to urban, economic and social development. It will have a modern infrastructure that ensures access to quality public and private services from schools and kindergartens to commercial units, with parks and sports facilities, as well as state institutions./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama posted today on social networks photos from the construction of new buildings in the “5 Maji” neighborhood, while also drawing attention to the residents’ protest for the demolition of existing houses in this area.

“Hoping that you will still remember the ‘victims’ of the ‘5 Maji’ neighborhood, located very near to the Parliament building, here’s a dignified urban and architectural work taking shape day by day and where there will be sheltered the families affected by the earthquake, including those who protested for political reasons”, wrote Rama on social media.

The local plan for the “5 May” area foresees the development of a new residential neighborhood and the integration of this area with the rest of the city.

The construction project in the “May 5” area in Tirana aims not only to solve the problems of families severely affected by the earthquake, but also to create a new hub in the capital conceived as a real urban center, capable of generating development and connections with the rest of the city. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Mayor of Durrës Emiriana Sako closely inspected today the works in a building in neighborhood No 17, on “Dalip Peza” street.

Sako said that the complete renovation of this building, both in the interior and exterior, guarantees the appropriate standards.

“After a while, the 50 families of this building will enter their new homes, which will be stronger and safer than before,” assured Sako./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today on social media moments from the visit of Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja who gave presents to the children of two families in Lezha.

“In the family of Ndoj and Pjetri, who are treated with economic assistance to distribute New Year’s presents, accompanied by the good news that from January 1, mothers will benefit from the new support policy for the unemployed mothers with three or more children under 18 years old”, wrote Rama.

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection will finance the new policy with the 2023 budget, supported by the National Counseling initiative, for the support of unemployed women with 3 or more children.

This program plans to be financed in the amount of ALL 600 million and supports every woman with 3 or more children up to 18 years old, unemployed, with a family income of up to 100 thousand ALL/month, subsidizing the amount of social and health contributions from the state, as a direct support for care in the first 5 years of the child./p.s./

Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy was also attending.

Kim expressed her satisfaction that Albania managed to get the last two available-floating ships that the American company possessed.

“One of the things that everyone has been talking about over the past two months is the energy crisis that the world is facing, especially in Europe while we can see what is happening with Russia and Ukraine. And we need to make sure that NATO allies and friends like Albania can diversify their energy sources, to be more secure, more prosperous and more independent. In fact, we are lucky, because since 2020 we have started talking about energy. The steps taken at that time turned out to be important. We are pleased that the US Company “Excelerate Power” can bring electricity generators. They don’t look nice, but what matters is that they work,” said Kim.

The ambassador emphasized that in average terms the energy produced by the 2 ships will fulfill the needs of about 200 thousand families in Albania.

“Statistics show that last year the total consumption was 8.4 terawatts. If this works properly, the ships should generate at least 114 megawatts and this could at least meet 12-15% of the country’s total needs. And in average terms, it means that 150-200 thousand houses will be supplied with electricity thanks to the energy produced by these two ships”, said Kim./j.p/r.e/p.s./