New social assistance programme for refugees in Armenia
Refugees from Artsakh to be offered a new social assistance programme in Armenia
25.12.2025
Article published on the arka.am website
The Armenian Government has just approved a new social assistance programme for certain categories of internally displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to Arsen Torosyan, Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, the new programme will begin on 1 July 2026 and apply to those who are currently eligible for a housing certificate but are unable to use it due to their family status.
“These include small families of one to three people, some of whom have severe disabilities. We’re offering them an alternative option if they fulfil the criteria for obtaining a housing certificate (a basic requirement of Armenian citizenship), but who find the amount insufficient to meet their needs”, said Torosyan.
They can therefore register as beneficiaries under the Social Housing Fund Programme and receive partial compensation for housing rent of 40,000 drams (monthly) for a period of ten years. They will be able to transition into a social apartment for stable housing within that timeframe should the opportunity arise. However, refusal to accept such an offer will result in them being excluded from the programme.
The Minister explained that this will apply to family members who have Type 1 and Type 2 disabilities and individuals over 60 years of age. Families with two and three members with a combined age of more than 115 and 175 years respectively will also be eligible for the scheme.
“Support under the social housing programme of 30,000 drams and 40,000 +10,000 drams (for rent and utility bills) will end on 31 December, but this is expected to be extended until the end of next year”, said the Minister.
Torosyan also announced the launch of another initiative to stimulate self-employment among people displaced from Karabakh who have benefitted from the housing programme and who now want to start their own small business.
The programme includes business training courses worth up to 300,000 drams, business support for up to 12 months at a monthly cost of 60,000 drams, and compensation for capital investments amounting to 70% of expenses, but no more than two million drams.
Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing in Karabakh
On 19-20 September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a full-scale assault against Artsakh, using artillery, drones and combat aircraft. On the 28th, following negotiations with Azerbaijani Government officials, Artsakh’s President Samvel Shahramanyan issued a decree dissolving all State institutions, declaring that the Republic of Artsakh would cease to exist from 1 January 2024.
Residents from Artsakh were forced to move to Armenia. According to the Armenian Government, more than 115,000 Artsakh people have been registered, with assistance programmes already in place.
