KS: Initiative launched to abolish legalization costs for veterans' residential buildings

(Patria) - The Ministry for Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton has sent an official initiative to the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection, proposing that members of the veteran population, who are resolving their housing issue for the first time, be completely exempted from paying fees in the process of legalizing buildings.

The goal of this initiative is to enable veterans who meet the legal conditions to be absolutely exempt from costs through the upcoming Law on the Legalization of Buildings and other constructed works in space without building permits.

"Veterans stood in defense of our country in its most difficult moments, leaving their families and homes so that we can live freely today. A significant number of them, due to difficult socio-economic circumstances, unemployment, and impaired health after the war, were forced to build or extend buildings themselves, which are today the only roof over their families' heads. Additional legalization costs represent an unbearable burden for them, and it is our duty to show gratitude and solidarity," stated the relevant Minister for Veterans' Affairs of KS, Omer Osmanović.

He said that many homes of the veteran population were built on former defense lines and border areas, which is why they suffered the greatest wartime destruction. Today, according to the minister, when these people try to legally regulate the buildings they live in, institutions must recognize their sacrifice.

"Exemption from paying fees is not a privilege, but an act of respect and a solution to a crucial existential issue. It is unacceptable that those who defended this country today fear for the survival of their own homes," the minister emphasized.

This initiative represents a continuation of the systematic support of the Ministry for Veterans' Affairs of KS. 

During the mandate period from 2021 to 2025, significant results were achieved in the area of housing for the veteran population.

According to the data of this ministry, 49 million KM of budget funds were spent on resolving the housing issue for about 4,000 beneficiaries from the veteran population. Residential units were directly purchased for 327 beneficiaries, and about 3,650 members of the veteran

population realized other rights and support in accordance with the Law on Additional Rights of Fighters-Veterans of BiH.

The Ministry for Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton expresses its absolute readiness and provides full institutional support to the initiative to exempt the veteran population from the costs of legalizing residential buildings, with the message that there is no state without honor, nor honor without our veterans.