Experiences of Women Applicants Regarding Access to Social Housing Services in the Municipality of Tirana, Albania

Abstract

Access to and benefits from social housing programs in Tirana, Albania, have remained a significant challenge for the most vulnerable families, particularly women. In this context, the present study was conducted to assess the accessibility and relevance of social housing programs in the Municipality of Tirana. Tirana was selected because it is the largest municipality in Albania in terms of population, administrative resources, and the number of applicants to social housing programs. The study employed a qualitative research methodology. A total of 78 participants were involved in the assessment, and primary data were collected through 29 semi-structured interviews with women applicants and representatives of the municipal administration. The findings indicate that only limited measures have been taken to address the needs of citizens. Access to social housing services remains highly restricted, especially for women-headed households and women who are survivors of domestic violence. Participants perceived access to these programs as very low due to insufficient information, complex bureaucratic procedures, limited support from municipal officials throughout the application process, and the costs associated with obtaining the required documentation. Furthermore, only one of the six existing social housing programs was found to be partially relevant to the needs of women-headed households and survivors of domestic violence. Based on these findings, recommendations were developed at both the national and local levels. These include improvements to legislation and regulations, increased assistance from municipal officials throughout the application process, and the development of a more responsive and inclusive system that better addresses the specific needs and circumstances of women.

Received: 20 February 2026  │  Accepted: 10 June 2026  │  Published: 23 July 2026