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Description
Since 2016, when the National Housing Strategy was finalized, the document has not been assumed by the Government. At the level of the Municipality of Bucharest, in the last four years the process by which social housing was given in the administration of the Local District City Halls was stopped. Although the strategic documents mention access to decent housing as a fundamental measure for the inclusion of vulnerable groups, Bucharest has not included in its budgets financial allocations in this direction. One of the reasons is the inability of potential beneficiaries to campaign for their rights. In this project we will facilitate direct communication between authorities and potential beneficiaries of social housing, in order to promote the self-representation of one of the most vulnerable categories of urban actors. Related to the process of empowering these people, we will conduct a series of studies and analyzes on the causes and effects of housing poverty in Bucharest. Based on these analyzes, we will draft the first Strategic document for Social Housing in Bucharest. From the experience of evictions and support for families affected by housing poverty, we found a lack of understanding of the problems associated with poverty on the part of the authorities and the public. Within the project we propose a communication campaign, conducting human rights workshops (for employees working directly with vulnerable people) and meetings with local decision makers and reprezentative of The Romanian Parliament, in order to discuss directly with people affected by poverty. ActiveWatch has experience in advocacy campaigns, public policy proposal, monitoring of public institutions and human rights campaigns. The Parada Foundation works on the streets, with vulnerable people, living in poverty, without identity documents. It assists these communities in accessing social rights and is in close contact and collaboration with local public authorities in Bucharest.
Summary of project results
The project addressed critical housing insecurity in Bucharest, where over 18,800 applications for social housing remained unresolved due to bureaucratic hurdles and systemic barriers. Vulnerable families, often living in informal housing, faced eviction and a lack of viable alternatives, exacerbated by administrative ambiguities between municipal authorities. These challenges underscored the need for advocacy, legal support, and reforms to promote access to adequate housing.
Key activities included workshops to empower residents for advocacy, consultations with communities to prioritize solutions, and direct meetings with local authorities to address issues. Legal assistance was provided to 41 individuals and families, alongside advocacy campaigns that submitted formal proposals for municipal housing policies and national legislative reforms. A comprehensive report on housing precarity was published, accompanied by a national campaign to promote awareness and systemic change. Additionally, workshops with local officials built capacity to address poverty and housing insecurity effectively.
The project resulted in heightened awareness of housing rights and advocacy progress at local and national levels. Community engagement fostered collaboration with authorities, while legal interventions directly benefited vulnerable families. The policy report and advocacy campaigns laid the groundwork for sustainable housing strategies, and the initiative unified NGOs around common goals for systemic change.
This project matters because it tackled both immediate and structural challenges, empowering communities and influencing policy to create a more equitable housing framework. Its long-term potential lies in establishing sustainable housing solutions and ensuring that vulnerable populations are no longer marginalized.