News

26 September 2025

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva addressed Regional Minister Ivan Ivanov, the mayors of Sofia Municipality Vasil Terziev and Poduyane District, as well as the executive director of Metropoliten EAD Nikolay Naydenov, regarding a complaint about the forced eviction of 24 families living in block 2 in the Hadji Dimitar neighbourhood. The residents of the block have been living in the building for 20 years, and the municipality claims that the building is not fit for habitation.

This evacuation is necessary due to "unacceptable cracks, emergency defects, and the possibility of disruption to the water and electricity supply as a result of the deformations that have occurred." The findings were made following an order by the chief architect of Sofia from the standing commission in the Poduyane district after a structural survey of the condition of the residential building, commissioned in early October last year.

Delcheva points out that the Ombudsman Institution was notified about this case in 2023 by the affected citizens, and even then, they asked for an investigation and for people to be told about the steps that would be taken if unacceptable defects were found in the homes.

"In letter ref. No. P-9554/16.01.2024, the Ombudsman requested information on the measures taken to resolve the problem in accordance with the law, so as to prevent accidents and limit damage to the building," writes Velislava Delcheva.

She emphasizes that, according to a decision by the Sofia City Council on 13 February this year, a one-time non-repayable financial assistance for market-level housing rents for one year in the amount of BGN 126,540 was approved for 15 of the 24 families who were found not to own a second home.

Delcheva refers to an official announcement by the Sofia Municipality on its official website dated 23 September 2025, stating that following a meeting in the Architecture and Urban Planning Department – Sofia Municipality with representatives of the floor ownership of the residential building, which was also attended by the mayor of the Poduyane district – Sofia Municipality, the possibility of the Sofia Municipality commissioning and financing the preparation of project documentation for the restoration of the building in question was discussed. In connection with the commitment made, invitations to tender for the above-mentioned activities were sent out. The Department received four (4) bids. Both private designers and state structures expressed their willingness to prepare investment projects.

She adds that an expert from her team had a conversation with the mayor of the Poduyane district, who informed them that opportunities for national funding are being discussed with minimal participation from the owners of the construction activities for reinforcement under the Regional Development Program 2021-2027. with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works as the managing authority. The Sofia Municipality has expressed its readiness to provide logistical support, assistance in relocating the affected owners of sole residences, and ensuring the safety of the building.

"I recommend establishing coordination between the responsible institutions, namely the Sofia Municipality, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, and the Poduyane District of Sofia Municipality, as well as ongoing interaction with citizens to minimize the period required to restore the use of sole residences while optimizing the administrative burden," writes the Ombudsman.

In her letter, Velislava Delcheva also insists on receiving, within a short period of time, an opinion on the current planning status of the affected residential properties within the boundaries of land property 68134.606.455, as well as on the stage of financial provision, implementation of the design and construction of the necessary reinforcement works.