Background:

The Czech Ministry of the Interior is planning to take measures to promote self-reliance among beneficiaries of temporary protection in temporary collective housing, as experts and other stakeholder groups recommend wider support for the transition of refugees into private housing, including by providing assistance with the initial rental costs as well as rental deposit.

The Ministry of the Interior considers a one-off lump sum payment to cover the initial costs associated with the transition of the beneficiaries of temporary protection from temporary collective housing to regular private housing. Therefore, EMN Czechia requested EMN Member and Observer Countries to answer questions relating to such measure.

Respondents:

22 EMN Member Countries answered this question (including BE).

Findings:

A preliminary analysis of the results of the ad hoc query shows that:

• 7 EMN Member Countries (BE, CY, EE, GR, IT, LT, ES) indicated that they have a measure in place that includes the payment of a one-off lump sum to cover the costs associated with transitioning from collective to private accommodation incurred by beneficiaries of temporary protection. LT indicated that this right is limited to beneficiaries of temporary protection who are employed or registered with the Employment Service, students, pensioners, single pregnant women, and single parents raising children under 2 years of age. ES specified that the aid is provided to the recipients by NGOs on the basis of public funds.
   
• All of these 7 EMN Member Countries stated that they have implemented control mechanisms to prevent misuse of the system and ensure its efficiency. These include criteria as regards the adequacy of the housing (CY, GR), the provision of rental agreement (EE, IT, LT) and evidence of expenses (EE, IT).

For further details, please read the compilation of answers above.