Additional housing support for beneficiaries of international protection

The project

The practice aims to support beneficiaries of international protection in their search for suitable and affordable accommodation in their process of leaving the asylum home. To facilitate the transition the Government Office for the integration and support of migrants (UOIM) has two integration houses and several other dwellings that are free of charge. Those beneficiaries of international protection that are younger and schooling, have access to student and youth dormitories, under same conditions as Slovenian citizens. This contributed to the practice being age sensitive.

The UOIM is the coordinator of all activities concerning accommodation of beneficiaries of international protection. They have integration counsellors that are coordinating the search for accommodation with each beneficiary individually, and with help from a translator. The UOIM is responsible for explaining the process for search of accommodation as well as the remaining housing opportunities. As it is difficult for the beneficiaries to find suitable accommodation for funds available to them, the UOIM enters a contract with an NGO, where one of the contractual obligations is to assist in finding an accommodation. 

The practice was created due increase in number of beneficiaries of international protection in Slovenia. The integration counsellors recognized the need to increase the housing support in order to address the diverse needs of their beneficiaries. The continuous support with housing and its diversification is aimed at improving the integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Slovenia.

The impact of the good practice

Migrants included in the program were taught the Slovenian language, the use of language associated with career planning and the Slovenian country, learned about the local environmental performance of major institutions and other organizations in order to increase their functional literacy. About 20 participants joined the program each year. After the conclusion of the program most of the participants remained in contact with the organization, often through the activities of the Adult Education Guidance Center Novo Mesto, which helped them in exploring their employment opportunities, resolve status issues and participate in additional educational courses.