The Montenegrin Tenants’ Association has raised serious concerns regarding the alleged lack of transparency and discriminatory elements of the Velje Brdo housing project. Initially portrayed as a “Montenegrin dream” for tenants, the project now reveals significant deficiencies in providing information and fairness to the citizens, as stated by the association.

“The application process is clouded in secrecy, and there remains no official public information regarding the number of citizens registered. According to the Tenants’ Association, those registered have started receiving invitations to sign contracts, under which they will soon be expected to start paying for apartments that are yet to be constructed. Concurrently, there is no approved urban plan for the project, and the conditions or assurances for citizens who would take on this financial commitment are not clearly articulated.”

“We are posing critical questions: Can we trust paying for something uncertain? Can we place confidence in such state projects devoid of transparency, where all proceedings occur without public oversight, particularly when it involves a state investment exceeding three billion euros?” stated the Tenants’ Association in a press release.

Furthermore, the association notes the absence of a clear answer to the fundamental question—who is inviting the citizens that applied for the Velje Brdo project? Is it the ministry in charge or the Government? Which institution should they approach to potentially sign contracts, and why is the public not informed? Why does it appear that everything is being handled, seemingly, “under the table”? Is there a risk of significant fraud against the citizens of Montenegro?

“We must emphasize that reliance solely on digital applications has excluded numerous citizens, particularly the elderly and socially vulnerable individuals, who lack internet access or sufficient digital skills. Additionally, the absence of essential information regarding the price per square meter, criteria for participant selection, and payment schedules adds to the complications surrounding the project.”

The Tenants’ Association calls on the relevant institutions to immediately disclose all pertinent information about the Velje Brdo project, engage the general public in the decision-making process, and guarantee equitable and transparent terms for all citizens.

“We also urge the authorities to halt the contract awarding process until essential planning documents are finalized and the specific conditions of the project are clearly defined. The right to housing is a fundamental human right, and we demand that all housing initiatives adhere to the principles of transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities for all citizens of Montenegro,” the statement concludes.

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