Program
Housing
Assistance
A home is more than shelter — it is the foundation of a life. We rebuild what was lost.
A home is more than shelter — it is the foundation of a life. We rebuild what was lost.
About the Program
When Krajina Serbs were expelled in 1995, their homes were left behind — many subsequently damaged, vandalized, or simply abandoned to the elements. For those who wish to return, the state of their ancestral property is often a formidable barrier. Roofs collapsed. Walls crumbling. Plumbing and electricity stripped or destroyed.
The Housing Assistance Program works to remove this barrier. We assess properties, coordinate reconstruction or renovation work, navigate the complex legal and administrative requirements for returning refugees, and ensure that families who wish to come home can do so — to a home that is safe, weatherproof, and liveable.
We work primarily in the municipalities of Knin, Glina, Petrinja, Vojnić, and surrounding areas. Our network of trusted local contractors, legal advisors, and community liaison officers ensures that each project is managed with care and transparency.
Beyond physical reconstruction, we also provide legal aid to help families navigate property rights disputes — one of the most complex and emotionally painful aspects of attempting to return to Krajina.
Services
Our team visits properties to conduct a full structural and legal assessment, determining the scope and cost of required work.
Roofing, structural repairs, windows and doors, plumbing, electrical — we manage the full scope of renovation work through vetted local contractors.
Property registration, rights disputes, and administrative processes — we provide legal counsel to help families reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Facilitating connection to water, electricity, and sewage systems — working with municipal authorities where services were previously disconnected.
Beyond the house — community integration support, connections to local services, and links to our economic empowerment and farming programs.
Dedicated track for elderly residents who remained in or returned to Krajina — who often have the greatest need and fewest resources to address housing deterioration.
How It Works
Submit your application with property details, proof of heritage, and your situation. Our team reviews all applications within 4 weeks.
Our team visits the property for a full structural, legal, and cost assessment. We confirm feasibility and develop a project plan.
Approved contractors begin work, with our project manager overseeing quality and timeline. Families receive regular updates throughout.
Upon completion, we hand over the keys with a 12-month defect warranty and connect families to our return support network.
A Family's Return
The Marić family fled Glina in 1995. For 25 years, they lived as refugees in Serbia, always knowing their home still stood in Krajina — damaged, overgrown, but still theirs by right.
In 2020, with the help of our Housing Program, they navigated the legal process to reclaim their property. Our team repaired the roof, replaced windows, rewired the electricity, and connected them to running water. In spring 2021, the Marić family returned home.
"My mother cried when she walked through the door. She said she never thought she would live to see this day. Because of Friends of Krajina, she did."
If you or your family have a property in the Krajina region that needs assessment, legal help, or repair, contact us. Our team can advise on eligibility and next steps.