Increasing the value of housing certificates in Armenia has not solved the housing problem for refugees.
Following changes to the housing program, refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh complained about rising prices for purchasing and renting housing in the regions of Armenia. The housing program, with its new conditions, still does not solve the problems of small families of internally displaced persons, analysts noted.
As "Caucasian Knot" reported, in March, the Armenian authorities announced an increase from three to four million drams in the cost of housing certificates for Karabakh refugees wishing to purchase housing near Yerevan. Refugees believe that this will not help them solve their housing problem. As of the beginning of this year, more than four thousand refugee families from Nagorno-Karabakh received certificates for housing, 1,755 families have already received housing.
On March 26, the Armenian government amended the state support program for housing for internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh. In particular, in addition to border settlements with support in the amount of 5 million drams (13.2 thousand dollars), in all other settlements in the regions the amount of support for each family member will be 4 million drams (10.5 thousand dollars). Support in the city of Yerevan remained unchanged - 3 million drams (about 8 thousand dollars), reports a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot".
The increase in the amount of certificates for refugees provoked an increase in housing prices
The press service of the Armenian government reported that at a government meeting it was noted that "such a decision was made for the integration of persons displaced from Karabakh, creating the necessary conditions for them to live long-term in the Republic of Armenia."
As of April 2026, certificates for the purchase of housing have been issued to more than 5 thousand families, of which more than 2,300 have used them.
Small families from Artsakh will not be able to purchase housing, because after such changes, real estate prices will also rise in parallel.
State Minister Nagorno-Karabakh Nzhdeh Iskandaryan noted that only 10% of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh “were able to take advantage of the state housing program and purchase housing in Armenia, which speaks to the incorrectness of this program.” "From the very beginning, we have pointed out the systemic problems of the housing program, but there is virtually no interaction between the Armenian government and the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh on issues of supporting displaced persons. The lack of housing and unemployment are forcing displaced persons to leave Armenia. About 25,000 Artsakh (Karabakh) people have left Armenia," Iskandaryan said.
According to him, changes in the housing program for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh do not solve the problem. "Small families from Artsakh will not be able to purchase housing, because after such changes, real estate prices also rise," he said.
Liana Petrosyan, Head of the Refugee Support Information Center, noted that "after the decision was made that 3 million drams certificates became 4 million drams, our center began to receive calls that prices Real estate prices are rising, and there are a large number of requests from refugees asking the government to introduce mechanisms aimed at controlling prices in the real estate market."
"Unfortunately, the state cannot impose restrictions on private property," Petrosyan noted.
A real estate agency in Yerevan noted that in the capital of Armenia, the price per square meter increased by 0.3%, while in the regions, the average cost of housing in apartment buildings increased by more than 16%. A 10% increase in land prices was also recorded.
A new price increase is being felt in the regions
An agency employee added that "government programs continue to play a significant role in the development of the market." "In the capital, prices, one might say, are changing little, but in the regions, a new price increase is being felt," the agency emphasized. he.
Refugees complained about problems finding housing to buy
"My family received the certificate in January. We started looking for housing in the regions. After it was announced that in communities close to the capital the certificate was worth 4 million drams, housing prices increased. For example, a house that cost $32,000 became $37,000. The real estate agency said that the prices are set by the owners. They also said that buying and selling activity increases in the spring, which is why prices rise. I don't know which option is correct, but we had to give up the apartment because the owners raised the price and look for another option. "We don't want to take out a loan because we don't want to be in debt to the bank," Grant Atanesyan told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Armin Sargsyan believes that "the only way out is to build separate houses for the residents of Artsakh using the money allocated for the certificate." "Isn't it possible to build a 50-apartment building for 50 families using the money allocated for the certificate? Of course, it's possible! And so far, they've been demonstrating a completely wrong approach; they say that 2,500 families from Artsakh bought apartments on the secondary market. But if you look into it, you'll find that those who sold these apartments took the money and left their homeland. “This is wrong,” Sargsyan noted.
Angela Aghababyan supported her, saying that most urban refugee families are small families, but the state program does not meet their needs.
“Housing prices have really risen and continue to rise. This is not only because of the certificates, but because banks are willing to give loans at high interest rates. People understand the burden of bank loans only afterward. Therefore, if the authorities really want to help refugees with housing, especially small families, then they need to ensure that they allocate land and build apartments with the appropriate money allocated for the certificate,” the woman shared her opinion.
Eduard Kagramanyan noted that even families of 5 or 6 people find it difficult to purchase housing on Certificates. In his opinion, "if the state provides certificates, it would be good if they also offered housing for that amount."
"In villages, especially where there is minimal infrastructure, prices have increased several times over. Even if the house is not fit for habitation. Therefore, many are still thinking about leaving Armenia, and they remain, because there is no stability in any of the countries," Hamlet Sargsyan told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Angelina Babayan believes that "the state needs strict control over housing prices, as well as over appraisers of housing for sale."