Dozens of residents from the Spitallë area protested this Monday in front of the Durrës Municipality, as 30 families affected by the reconstruction process have yet to receive their promised apartments.
Their homes were demolished by a Council of Ministers decision in the public interest as part of the post-2019 earthquake reconstruction process. They were promised compensation with apartments in newly constructed buildings in the area. However, even though the buildings have been completed, none of the families have received the keys to their apartments.
They claim to have followed the necessary procedures but have not received any response.
“It’s been five years now. We go to the municipality, we go to ASHK, and we get no response. The Council of Ministers ordered the demolition of our home, and we still haven’t received anything. We got three to four months of rent compensation. The buildings are finished, some people have received their apartments,” said one resident.
“I have been renting for almost five years. I have nine family members and it is impossible to afford living costs. I cannot afford rent. I demand the state find a solution as soon as possible. We have filed complaints with the municipality, we went to Tirana, and still nothing. No answers, no deadlines. I haven’t paid rent in six months,” said another resident.
Another resident confirmed that they were promised new apartments but have received nothing, not even a rental bonus.
“They demolished our homes for the new road, saying we would get apartments in the new buildings, but we haven’t received anything. We have no response from the municipality or from Tirana. How can we afford rents of 300,000-400,000 ALL? We have not received any rental assistance either,” she said.
Another resident, interviewed by Euronews Albania, expressed frustration over the lack of explanations for their situation for five years. She called on Prime Minister Edi Rama to intervene and resolve the issue.
“We have been running between the municipality and Tirana with no answers. Our documents are stuck at ASHK Durrës. I urge the Prime Minister to find a solution for the people. If this issue remains unresolved, we will take to the streets. ASHK has not sent the documents to Tirana, and we have no explanation. We have been to the Development Fund and ASHK. It’s been five years of waiting,” she said.
The People’s Advocate representative, Enio Haxhimihali, acknowledged that institutions are aware of the issue and that there has been ongoing communication to find a solution.
“We have been following this issue since the 2019 earthquake. We have been in constant communication, but things are not being resolved quickly. That’s why we are here in Durrës, to assess why these procedures have stalled and why these citizens remain without housing after so many years,” said Haxhimihali.
Residents have warned of continued protests if no resolution is found.
The Durrës Municipality clarified that the matter is now under the jurisdiction of the State Expropriation Agency. The case has been legally processed by the Municipal Directorate and has been referred to this agency for resolution.
