On the final list for affordable rents 1103 names, soon the first contracts and moving

The final list of eligible applicants for the affordable rental program includes 1,103 names, with the first contracts and relocation set to begin soon. The Agency for Legal Traffic and Real Estate Mediation (APN) has released the final list of priority applicants who applied during the period from April 15th to May 15th, 2026. Out of the 1,315 applications received, 1,103 were approved, 195 were rejected, and 17 applicants withdrew. Following the initial release of the temporary list, APN received 98 appeals, of which 76 were dismissed and 22 accepted, four of them partially. Most of the appeals came from applicants based in Zagreb, with 54, followed by Rijeka with 13, Split with 10, and two from Dubrovnik. The appeals primarily concerned family size, such as the birth of a child in the interim, and education status, including whether the applicant or a member of their household had completed higher education during the application period. In the coming week, the process of matching eligible applicants with suitable properties will commence. According to the Affordable Rental Program guidelines, applicants will be offered housing units within the local self-governance unit they selected, provided there are available properties in that area. Regarding property size, one person requires a minimum of 35 square meters, with an additional 10 square meters per subsequent family member. If multiple properties meet the criteria, the applicant will be offered the one closest to their place of residence. After the selection of a property, APN will proceed with contract negotiations, following which relocation will take place. Currently, the program includes 282 private properties and eight renovated state apartments, five in Pula and three in Zadar. State-owned properties undergoing renovation include a total of 329 residential units intended for sheltered tenants and the affordable rental program. These apartments are located in approximately fifty cities, predominantly in Zagreb, Osijek, and Rijeka. Of these 329 units, 99 have already been prepared, 42 are under renovation, and procedures for design and contractor selection are ongoing for the remaining 188 units. Property owners will receive a 60 percent increase in annual rent upon signing the agreement, while the remainder will be paid after half the contractual period ends. Property owners can hand over their real estate to APN for a management period of three to ten years. Eligible tenants will pay an affordable rent, with the combined amount of rent and maintenance fees not exceeding 30 percent of their monthly household income. For example, a single individual receiving 1,200 euros per month and assigned a 41-square-meter apartment would pay 257.50 euros per month in rent. A five-member household with a monthly income of 2,300 euros and allocated an 84-square-meter property, either an apartment or house, would pay 480 euros per month. The Affordable Rental Program was introduced by the government to activate existing vacant residential units for long-term rental and assist citizens unable to resolve their housing issues. It is one of the measures included in the National Housing Policy Plan of the Republic of Croatia until 2030. In Croatia, there are approximately 600,000 vacant properties. The state, through APN, will manage private apartments for long-term rental, while property owners will receive compensation, paid in two installments. The difference between the affordable rent and market price will be covered by the state. Target groups include families without resolved housing issues, those without personal property, young families, families with many children, persons with disabilities, and individuals whose professions are listed as in demand.