Aspiring to find a solution to the problems of management and maintenance of residential buildings “Habitat for Humanity Armenia” foundation organized a round table-discussion devoted to the problems in this field and to the measures taken towards efficient solutions. The main objective of the round table was to unite the key players as well as the main stakeholders of the sector around one table to jointly discuss the implemented works towards residential buildings’ common area renovation, energy upgrade and further steps.
The experience gained during the implementation of Habitat for Humanity Armenia’s projects was presented at the event, the ways to overcome the existing obstacles were discussed, the foreign experience, the effectiveness and the achievements of the project towards energy efficiency were presented as well.
Within the framework of the projects aimed at common area renovation and energy efficiency upgrade 20 multi-apartment buildings have been improved and AMD 50 mln was invested so far in close cooperation with the Municipalities of Yerevan and Vanadzor, “Inecobank” CJSC and homeowner associations.
Luiza Vardanyan, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Armenia said, “Habitat for Humanity Armenia started the implemetation of its first project in the field of maintenance and management of multi-apartment buildings in 2011. At present we have three active projects and within these projects we cooperate with the municipalities, homeowner associations, financial institutions and others. One of our priorities is to create functional financial models as well as to unite different players in the sector so that the management and maintenance of residential buildings are carried out quickly and efficiently. ”
Harutyun Khachatryan, the head of unit of work with Homeowners’ Associations of Communal Department of Yerevan Municipality, noted, “This year Yerevan Municipality planned to perform renovation of entrances in 898 multi-apartment buildings. We have already renovated 800 entrances and Habitat for Humanity Armenia has its share in it. The present financial model is acceptable for us and in the upcoming year we are planning to include more buildings in our joint project.”
Lilia Azatyan, the senior engineer of “Taron” homeowner association noted that works of energy efficiency and common use area renovation were performed in one building of their condominium in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity Armenia. They are planning to apply for other buildings as well because they are pleased with the results.
Yevgenya Atayan, advisor at the Department of Housing Policy and Utilities Infrastructure of the Ministry of Urban Development of the Republic of Armenia, noted, “The problems in this field will be solved more easily if the residents are careful towards not only their apartment but the building as well and consider both as their property.”
Within the framework of the project of “Residential Energy Efficiency for Low-income Households” Habitat for Humanity Armenia has launched a new website www.taqtun.am which makes it possible to get familiar with the process of application to the project as well as to get information on the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the buildings.
