In a video message posted on social media, Ibrahimaj said the government had also opened applications for 300 interest-free loans for public administration employees, including members of the State Police, Armed Forces, healthcare and education workers and prison police.

She said the government had introduced a range of measures in recent years to support young and vulnerable families.

Around 2,500 apartments have been made available through loans carrying a 3% interest rate across 32 municipalities, alongside other programmes providing rent subsidies, she said.

“Recognising that housing is one of the key elements of our citizens’ lives, we are working hard to develop programmes aimed at addressing the housing needs of young families, professionals and vulnerable groups,” Ibrahimaj said.

The new housing schemes, to be announced in September, are intended to expand opportunities for citizens who need support in securing a home, she said.

/m.m/r.e/u.sh/

The draft decision, currently under consultation with line ministries, is expected to create, for the first time, a centralized national system providing a comprehensive overview of social housing needs across all municipalities in the country.

In an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Director of the Housing Directorate at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, Dardana Grabovaj, said the project seeks to build an integrated real-time reporting system capable of tracking housing applications, monitoring program implementation, and managing funding more efficiently.

According to Grabovaj, the initiative represents a significant step toward modernizing Albania’s social housing policies.

“For the first time, Albania will have a complete and updated overview of social housing data, helping improve planning, monitoring, and the fair allocation of funds. This system will make information accessible instantly and is expected to become one of the most important tools for social housing management nationwide,” she said.

Under the new system, municipalities will be able to report in real time on citizens’ housing requests, the number of accommodated families, and the progress of housing programs.

The platform will collect a broad range of information, including housing demand, inventories of social rental housing, the physical and technical conditions of housing units, and the number of beneficiary families under social programs.

It will also identify land areas suitable for the construction of social housing projects and track infrastructure-equipped plots designated for development.

Grabovaj said the system will additionally include a registry of low-cost housing units, unused buildings that could be incorporated into the public social housing stock, and average rental rates approved by local government authorities.

“The system will also monitor the number of housing units provided under the social housing law and identify buildings at risk of collapse, including their precise locations,” she added.

A key objective of the initiative is the more efficient management of state budget funds and other financing sources dedicated to housing programs, with the aim of improving support for vulnerable citizens.

The platform is also expected to enhance transparency by allowing applicants to track the status of their housing requests while reducing opportunities for misuse and administrative abuse.

“We aim to provide an open and accessible system for all citizens, increasing trust and contributing to a fairer and more transparent process,” Grabovaj said.

Another major component of the project involves strengthening coordination between central and local government institutions, as well as integrating the housing system with other state databases to ensure more complete and reliable information.

According to Grabovaj, better data integration will enable more accurate analysis of housing conditions and support the design of more effective housing programs.

The initiative forms part of the Albanian government’s broader social housing strategy. Since the approval of the 2018 social housing law, a total of 28,323 families have benefited from six housing programs financed through state funds and World Bank loans.

Grabovaj also highlighted the planned establishment of the National Agency for Urban Planning and Housing, which will focus on developing a new approach to social housing and expanding access to housing opportunities for low- and middle-income families in the open market.

/a.f/r.e/u.sh/

Economy, Culture and Innovation Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Wednesday that 650 families were supported under social housing programmes in 2023, while the new target reflects expanded investment in subsidized rent, low-interest housing loans, reconstruction of existing homes and new municipal housing projects.

“Our goal is affordable, adequate and sustainable housing for every citizen, raising living standards across the country,” Gonxhja said in a statement.

Officials said the initiative is part of Albania’s National Social Support Programme and represents a concrete step toward strengthening social policies and integrating vulnerable groups into sustainable urban development.

/e.xh//a.f/u.sh/

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja announced Monday that the program targets key social groups, including families of fallen police officers, children under state care, and tenants residing in former private properties.

A central feature of the scheme is an immediate 20% grant toward the purchase price of a home for eligible beneficiaries.

“This initiative provides direct financial relief to families of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and to children under the care of the Republic,” Gonxhja said.

Applicants can apply online through the e-Albania portal by selecting the service “Application for 0% Interest Home Loan – National Housing Agency,” filling out the required form, and uploading the necessary documents.

There is no deadline for applications, and no prior call for applications is required from the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation.

/u.sh/

Unveiling his party’s vision for “Albania 2030”, PM Rama pointed out his government’s record in assisting families across Albania with 35,000 new, repaired, or energy-efficient homes since taking office back in 2013.

He vowed to expand his government’s housing program by earmarking over 300 million euros to support construction of around 50, 000 houses for young couples, teachers, doctors, servicemen, police officers and other professionals during his fourth term in office.

Rama underlined that housing policy has been prioritized by his government in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019.

“During our fourth term in office, we will invest 300 million euros in social housing program, with the aim of building 50,000 homes. Special housing program will be implemented for young couples and professionals who contributed to sectors with direct public impact as we wish to keep them here in Albania. We have already launched housing program for doctors, teachers, policemen and servicemen. We will expand the program to include private sector professionals, young professionals and those wishing to return back home from abroad,” PM Rama said.

/u.sh/

Responding to the Albanian Association of Constructors about what they call “a high housing tax rate”, the government head said that the 3% rate is not a high one.

Rama said that nobody is forced to develop construction projects.

“You build because it is in your interest to do so and you gain earnings from construction projects. I don’t want you to pretend as of being social category in need. We are talking about ways to simplify procedures, whereas you send letters asking the state not to collect what the state is entitled to collect.

PM Rama said that builders should pay the 3% social housing tax in the city or the area where they are developing these construction projects.

/u.sh/