Georgian lawyer Nana Gogokhia has criticized the government’s offer of a one-time GEL 10,000 payment per eligible family member to internally displaced persons (IDPs) who give up their place in state housing programs. She argues the initiative fails to address their long-term needs and could permanently deprive recipients and their descendants of the right to future housing assistance.
Gogokhia questions the use of the term “compensation,” saying the payment does not constitute legal reparation for war-related losses. She also highlights a contradiction: if the money is an alternative to housing, the amount is insufficient, while those who accept it lose eligibility for future resettlement support.
According to the lawyer, dissatisfaction among displaced people has surged over the past three months, driven by distrust and fears of prolonged waiting times. She also warned that some families are losing their socially vulnerable status while awaiting housing decisions and face difficulties challenging decisions through legal channels.
Gogokhia urged the government to conduct a comprehensive assessment of IDPs’ needs and improve existing housing programs, including the “Rural House” initiative. The government says participation in the cash scheme is voluntary and traditional housing programs will continue for those who decline. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that housing all remaining families could take at least another decade, with GEL 58 million allocated for the payment program this year.
