The Dutch government allocates $16 million for housing of displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh
In the heart of the Caucasus, Armenia has been navigating a complex journey to provide housing solutions for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian government launched several assistance programs, including a state housing program, in response to the exodus of virtually the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, which occurred in September 2023 following Azerbaijan's final offensive into the region after a nine-month blockade.
As of July 2023, 1,900 certificates have been issued for the state housing program, benefiting 25,000 families. However, the program has not attracted many refugees due to the time required to obtain Armenian citizenship and the difficulty in finding available properties for purchase.
The delay in the aid program's entry into force followed a major rally and several refugee protests in Yerevan. The funds for the program were to be provided through the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF), which was originally established in 2016 to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis. The Dutch government has provided €14 million ($16 million) to Armenia to support refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh in accessing affordable housing.
By spring 2024, the number of refugees who did not return remained at around 11,000-12,000. However, the number increased by up to 5,000 starting from May 2025. The social aid provided for refugees to cover rental costs was slashed starting from June 2025, following a government postponement of the aid program's entry into force.
The state housing assistance program, initially launched as a result of aid program cuts, has been criticized by some of its intended beneficiaries and has since been amended. Only 300-400 of the beneficiary families have been able to realize their housing solutions.
The main goal of the GCFF is to provide concessional financing to countries hosting large numbers of refugees. As of August 22, fewer than 11,000 Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians have received Armenian citizenship, according to the Interior Ministry, and approximately 100,000 are eligible to participate in the state-sponsored housing program.
In a significant development, the Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, and his Dutch counterpart, David Van Weel, announced on Wednesday a new program targeting vulnerable groups. The announcement was made during their meeting.
Despite the challenges, Armenia continues to strive to provide a better future for its displaced citizens from Nagorno-Karabakh. The journey is far from over, but with the support of international partners like the Dutch government and the GCFF, there is hope for a brighter future.
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