APN has released a list of the championship order for the newest recipients: who was rejected and who had the advantage?

The Agency for Legal Traffic and Real Estate Mediation (APN) has released the priority lists for approved applications under its Affordable Housing Program. This initiative aims to provide housing solutions for individuals who meet specific criteria, ensuring that the most vulnerable and deserving applicants receive priority access to available properties. The process involves evaluating each applicant based on ten distinct categories, including income levels, family size, number of children in preschool or attending school regularly, age, educational qualifications, disabilities, place of residence, and local labor market needs. These factors were used to determine the priority order among the 1315 applications received between April 15th and May 15th. Out of these, 1098 applications have been approved, while 202 were rejected due to various reasons such as incomplete documentation, insufficient income to cover rent, or existing property ownership.

The approval process was designed to ensure fairness and transparency, particularly for those who might otherwise struggle to secure affordable housing. In cases where multiple applicants had the same score, preference was given to Croatian veterans, children of veterans, spouses or children of deceased or missing soldiers, children of deceased military invalids, and children of deceased volunteers. This prioritization reflects the agency's commitment to supporting those who have contributed to national defense or face significant challenges.

Among the rejected applications, the largest group consisted of those who failed to submit additional documents within the required timeframe (104). Following them were applicants whose monthly incomes did not meet the minimum threshold necessary to afford the rent (76). Some applicants were also denied because they already owned suitable property or were involved in legal proceedings against them. After an eight-day appeal period, APN will finalize the priority list and proceed with matching eligible applicants to appropriate properties.

Currently, APN has access to 275 vacant private properties that have remained unoccupied for the past two years. Private property owners will receive 60% of the annual rental payment immediately after signing the contract, with the remaining 40% paid after half of the lease term, which can range from three to ten years. For tenants, the total cost of rent and utilities must not exceed 30% of their household’s monthly income. As an example, a four-person family earning €2000 per month would pay approximately €437.50 per month for a 65 square meter apartment.

In addition to private properties, the program includes renovated state-owned apartments. At present, five renovated apartments are available in Pula and three in Zadar. Furthermore, State Properties are working on renovating a total of 329 state-owned apartments designated for protected tenants and the Affordable Housing Program. Of these, 99 have already been completed, while 42 are currently undergoing renovation work. The remaining 188 apartments are in the planning or contractor acquisition phase. These apartments are located in several cities across Croatia, with the highest concentration found in Zagreb, Osijek, and Rijeka.

This comprehensive approach by APN aims to address the housing needs of various segments of the population, particularly those facing financial hardship or special circumstances. By combining private and public resources, the agency seeks to create a sustainable solution that benefits both landlords and tenants. The final step involves ensuring that all approved applicants are matched with suitable properties, thereby fulfilling the objectives of the Affordable Housing Program.