25 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN LEAVE CHILDREN HOMES EVERY YEAR

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian government has earmarked 325 million drams this year for purchase of apartments for young men and women who leave children homes and other institutionalized establishments.

According to Armenian labor and social affairs ministry, which supervises these establishments, every year about 25 young men and women leave children homes. This year alone 53 such young men and women will be given apartments. This program of assisting graduates of institutionalized children establishments was adopted in 2003. A 2004 study found that 220 graduates needed apartments.

Apart from providing apartments the program also envisages various training programs for these graduates. They are also eligible to legal and medical assistance.

From its inception the program has already provided apartments to 100 people. The draft 2007 budget will raise subsidies to social sector from this year’s 56 billion drams to 64 billion drams.