Noi culturi, noi antropologii - Humanitas

housing. Until the integration program was implemented in
2004, the only facility granted by the Romanian government
for refugees was the possibility to remain temporary in the
refugee center after proving their inability to secure a private
housing: „However, this camp closed in 1999 and the
possibility to remain at the camp no longer exists at the
new refugee center. Once this option was terminated, UN-
HCR provided an installation grant to all recognized refugees
who had to move from the camp, as well as accommodation
or material support to those deemed vulnerable persons.“ 173
Before 2001 refugees were entitled to private housing
on the same terms as nationals – because the legislation
did not differentiate between nationals and non-nationals –
however, few could afford one private accommodation. This
is due to the discrepancy between the refugees’ income and
price for a private housing. As a response to these difficulties
in finding housing and because housing is one of the
most important problems faced by refugees in their integration,
the Romanian National Council for Refugees and UN-
HCR provided refugees assistance in finding housing. This
consisted in a one-time installation grant to both refugees
who were living in the camp as well as those living in private
accommodation. UNHCR gave priority to the refugees who
proved willingness to integrate into the Romanian society
such as families with children who enrolled their children in
school, refugees who registered with the employment office,
participating in the NGOs employment program, and registering
for Romanian language courses. According to UNHCR,
by the end of 1998, a total of 170 installation grants have
been granted to 360 recognized refugees.
Nowadays, recognized refugees in Romania have the
same rights to find an accommodation as any Romanian
citizen. The persons who participate in the integration program
can receive a subsidy of maximum 50% of the rent.
The subsidy is conditioned by a contract signed between the
refugee and the householder. In most cases the refugees
173. UNHCR. (2000) Integration Rights and Practices with Regard
to Recognized Refugees in the Central European Countries, Geneva, p.
133.
194