25,000 displaced Artsakh Armenians have left Armenia as housing programs fall short

(Horizon Weekly / YEREVAN) — Only a small fraction of Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 have been able to secure permanent housing in Armenia, while tens of thousands have already left the country, according to Artsakh State Minister Nzhdeh Iskandaryan.

Citing government data and his own assessments, Iskandaryan stated that just around 10 percent of displaced families have managed to purchase housing through state support programs. At the same time, approximately 25,000 displaced persons have emigrated from Armenia.

He said many of the government’s post-2023 initiatives have remained largely inaccessible in practice, particularly housing assistance. According to Iskandaryan, the financial support offered, typically between 5 and 10 million drams, is insufficient to purchase homes in most parts of Armenia, especially for families. He also stressed that relocation efforts fail to account for employment opportunities, a key factor in long-term resettlement.

Speaking at a March 18 forum on inclusive development, Nikol Pashinyan noted that roughly 145 billion drams have been allocated from the state budget since 2023 to address the needs of displaced persons.

However, Iskandaryan criticized the lack of coordination between Armenian authorities and Artsakh institutions, saying no meaningful cooperation had taken place to address the challenges facing displaced communities.

He also questioned the effectiveness of state programs aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, suggesting that few, if any, displaced individuals have successfully launched businesses through government support.

Regarding citizenship, Iskandaryan described ongoing hesitation among displaced Armenians, driven by emotional and political concerns. Some fear that acquiring Armenian citizenship could weaken their claim to return, particularly as official rhetoric increasingly signals that the Artsakh issue is considered closed.

According to Labor and Social Affairs Minister Narek Mkrtchyan, as of February 1, more than 4,400 families had received housing certificates, with roughly half completing home purchases.