The Velje Brdo initiative presents a significant opportunity to address the housing crisis in Montenegro, provided that it prioritizes the needs of those without adequate housing, as stated by the Association of Tenants of Montenegro.

“The dismissal of the Tenants’ Association, failure to establish a tenant registry, and absence of application validity checks indicate a lack of commitment to execute the project equitably and transparently. Without these changes, Velje Brdo risks becoming yet another lost opportunity, leaving tenants without solutions,” the statement emphasized.

The Tenants’ Association expressed support for the government’s goal of creating affordable housing through the Velje Brdo project, but also highlighted serious risks and concerns that accompany the statistics and promises.

“The overwhelming number of applications demonstrates the severity of the housing crisis in the country, highlighting citizens’ urgent need for solutions. However, will this project adequately meet those needs?” the Association queried.

According to the Association, potential positives include the targeted price of around one thousand euros per square meter, which could alleviate pressures if it remains viable, as well as the plan for six thousand apartments by 2030, potentially stabilizing the market and securing homes for thousands of families.

“Our concerns include unrealistic move-in deadlines for next year that may result in significant delays; additionally, the public still lacks insight into clear award criteria and assurances that the prices will truly stay at the promised levels,” the statement warned.

Without simultaneous development of infrastructure—such as educational institutions, transportation, and water services—the new settlement risks devolving into an urban problem area. There is a genuine risk that benefits may be skewed towards the privileged instead of those who genuinely reside in subtenancies.

They highlighted that the neglect of the Tenants’ Association is a significant issue.

“To date, the state and relevant authorities have not engaged with the Association of Tenants of Montenegro, even though tenants are the primary demographic affected by this project. Such oversight raises doubts about who the future housing units are intended for and their purposes,” the statement noted.

The Association reiterated its longstanding call for a national tenant registry, which would transparently and objectively identify citizens in genuine need of housing.

“Continually avoiding this requirement creates opportunities for misuse and opaque allocation of apartments. A fair housing policy cannot exist without such a registry,” the statement concluded.

Additional apprehensions stem from the fact that applications for the project were exclusively submitted via the government website, which only requested basic information such as first name, last name, and social security number from citizens.

“This raises an important question: are there truly families among the 11 applicants who have been tenants for decades, or were applications also submitted by those for whom housing is less of a necessity? The lack of evidence and criteria at the application stage compromises the entire process’s transparency and fairness,” the Association assessed.

The Tenants’ Association has called for the immediate establishment and publication of clear criteria for allocating apartments—prioritizing tenants and young families. They demand a public guarantee that prices will remain at the stated one thousand euros per square meter, along with consistent and transparent public reporting on every phase of the project.

They also request parallel infrastructure development, inclusion of the NGO in oversight and advisory bodies for the project, and the creation of a national tenant registry essential for a socially just housing policy.

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