Artsakh Republic Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan said Artsakh Armenians are among those hardest hit by the sharp rise in rental prices recorded in Armenia’s real estate market amid migration flows.
Speaking during a National Assembly discussion titled “Socio-economic and legal problems of Artsakh Armenians and solutions,” he said the social and housing situation of Artsakh Armenians remains difficult.
Stepanyan stressed that of the 8,000 Artsakh families that have obtained housing certificates, 4,000 have still not used them, Panorama.am reports.
“The meager state assistance provided to Artsakh Armenians for rent does not in any way meet their needs, while under the housing program, only 4,000 families have so far been able to ultimately resolve their housing needs. Eight thousand families have obtained certificates, of which 4,000 have used them. This figure suggests that people obtain the certificate but do not know how to use it: they cannot find suitable housing that meets the requirements and is available at an appropriate price. Open List.am and see what kind of apartments you can find in areas surrounding Yerevan,” he said.
Partway through the National Assembly discussion on “Socio-economic and legal problems of Artsakh Armenians and solutions,” lawmakers from the Civil Contract faction and government representatives left the hall.
Before that, Civil Contract lawmaker Mariam Poghosyan had said: “We came today expecting to discuss issues concerning the social problems of our compatriots from Karabakh, but this meeting appears to have turned into an interparliamentary meeting, with references being made to certain official positions. We have repeatedly said that Armenia cannot have two parliaments and two governments. We are forced to leave this discussion.”
