Following the handover of HPD/HPCC operations in Kosovo to UNMIK in 2003, UN-HABITAT were requested to continue administering HPD/HPCC operations outside of UNMIK’s mandated domain. Subsequently, based on the the need to protect the residential property rights of close to 250,000 displaced Kosovan Serbs UN-HABITAT opened and continues operating satellite offices of the Housing and Property Directorate in Belgrade and Podgorica, to process and document claims for restoration of rights lost in Kosovo.

Activities of the programme include; claims intake and processing throughout Serbia and Montenegro, and liaison and communications with claimants during and following claims processing. The project has also undertaken research and policy advice to the international community and local structures regarding land and property rights, and HPD Serbia and Montenegro Office also provides liaison functions for UN-HABITAT programmes in the Balkans.