The announced change in the housing program has sparked criticism from Karabakh refugees.

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Armenian authorities announced an increase in the cost of housing certificates for Karabakh refugees wishing to purchase housing near Yerevan from three to four million drams. Refugees believe this will not help them resolve their housing problem.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," as of the beginning of this year, more than four thousand refugee families from Nagorno-Karabakh received certificates for housing, with 1,755 families already having received housing.

According to the Armenian government's housing program, adopted in 2024, each member of a refugee family from Nagorno-Karabakh can receive a certificate for the purchase or construction of housing. Each family member will receive a certificate in the amount of 3 million drams (almost $8,000) for the purchase of housing in Yerevan and in settlements located near the capital, 5 million drams ($13,200) in border areas, and 4 million drams ($10,500) in other regional settlements.

At the conference “Inclusive Development: Achievements and Action Plans” on March 18, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that “the amount of state support for housing provision for displaced persons from Karabakh wishing to purchase housing in settlements adjacent to Yerevan will increase from 3 million drams to 4 million drams per person.”

According to Pashinyan, “the government will make this decision officially in the near future,” and added: “We do not plan to increase the amount allocated for the purchase of housing in Yerevan, since we strive to direct the program towards regions."

At the same time, the press service of the Armenian Ministry of Social Labor added that the cost of a certificate for purchasing housing in Yerevan will remain at three million drams. Regarding those refugees who have already received certificates, according to the press service, "until an official decision is made, it is not worth discussing whether those who have already received certificates under the program and purchased housing for 3 million drams will receive an additional million drams."

The press service also reported that, "according to the latest data, more than 4,400 families forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh have received certificates for housing in Armenia, of which approximately 2,000 have already used their certificates."

Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Nzhdeh Iskandaryan noted that "information is circulating in the press that the housing program for Artsakh (Karabakh) residents will be updated, meaning 3 million will become 4 million."

I am sure that everything will change after the elections. I am confident that the people of Artsakh will only have opportunities for a dignified life if there is a new government in Armenia.

Considering that elections are approaching in Armenia, such an initiative from the Armenian government is expected. As the elections approach, it's possible that 4 million will become 5 million. And this is just bait. I am confident that everything will change after the elections. I am confident that the people of Artsakh will only have opportunities for a dignified life if there is a new government in Armenia. "And only the new government will allow us to speak about our rights and the preservation of our historical and cultural heritage on international platforms," ​​Iskandaryan told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on March 21.

Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh believe that even increasing the aforementioned payment by one million drams will not solve their problems.

Only large families—more than five people—can afford to buy a house with a certificate.

"I live in a village. Here, prices for the most run-down houses start at $50,000. Our family is small. Only large families—more than five people—can afford to buy a house with a certificate. And there are more small families than large ones. "And the government knows this, but it doesn't want to take the issue of housing for refugees seriously," said Nakhshut Torosyan.

"In recent years, refugees have settled in various settlements. But many of us were forced to live closer to the capital because that's where the work is. Perhaps the 4 million will help some families, but for most it will be problematic, as I'm sure real estate prices will rise again. Especially in neighboring towns and villages. This is the norm for property owners in Armenia. "But even at current market prices, it's impossible for ordinary families to buy housing," says Vardgez Hovhannisyan.