In accordance with article 21 (b) of the Organic Law of Georgia on Public Defender, the Public Defender of Georgia has addressed the Gamgebeli (Head of Local Municipality) of Lagodekhi, Mr. Valeri Alibegashvili to secure Genadi Kh.’s household with shelter.

Public Defender was addresses by Project Manager of Caucasus Environmental NGO Network regarding the social and economic hardship of Genadi Kh.’s family, residing in village Chiauri of Lagodekhi Municipality.

According to the filed application and accompanying documentation, Genadi Kh.’s family was affected by natural disaster and had to be displaced to village Chiauri of Lagodekhi Municipality, where they are currently living in outmost social and economic hardship. There are 7 members in the household and 3 of them are minor children. Genadi Kh’s temporary housing is past amortization period and there is a real threat that it might collapse. Rainwater leaks into the house, windows and doors are crumbling and the ceiling is damaged. Due to inadequate living conditions health of 3 minor children is under threat.

It is noteworthy that Genadi Kh.’s family is registered in the Unified Database of the Socially Vulnerable of the Social Service Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

According to the correspondence from Lagodekhi Gamgeoba (municipal district), the local municipality does have the resources to offer alternative housing to Genadi Kh.’s family in the nearby village. However, the applicant states that the alternative housing is also damaged and inhabitable.

According to Paragraph 1(B) of Article 18 of the Law of Georgia on Social Aid the local self-government bodies “secure homeless individuals with shelter”, this means that the state obligation to provide housing to the homeless has been delegated to the local self-government bodies. Therefore, the local self-government bodies have special obligation towards homeless families.

It is notable that Genadi Kh. belongs to a social class unable to independently maintain basic social and economic conditions necessary for life. Therefore, he requires state aid for realization of his relevant rights.