Dear Ministers,

Please find enclosed guidelines put forward by the agencies of the Property Legislation Implementation Plan (OHR, UNHCR, OSCE, CRPC, UNMIBH), in response to numerous questions and issues raised by municipal housing offices and OMIs throughout the country, for guidance on payment of lump sums sufficient to cover the housing expenses of temporary occupants of property, who are obliged by law to leave this property, but have the right to alternative accommodation.

The payment of lump sums has proved to be an efficient, and cost effective method of financing alternative accommodation needs. However, experience in the field has shown that sometimes there are failures of accounting, or payments are made to individuals who do not meet the criteria required for receiving alternative accommodation.

You are therefore urged to do your utmost to ensure responsible and transparent accounting, with detailed tracking of the temporary occupants who receive these sums, including current address, contact information and OMI/MHO claim file number, to establish that at all times these individuals are eligible to receive alternative accommodation, in accordance with the law. These procedures will also assist you in meeting auditing standards and maximizing the assistance to displaced families and refugees.

We hope that these guidelines meet with your approval.

With all good wishes for the continued success of our collaboration -

CC: