Can moving to another country be a solution to the housing crisis for residents of the largest Roma settlement in Slovakia? Dozens of families from the Luník IX district in Košice have started buying houses in Hungary, looking for better living conditions. Local authorities call this a chance for a "beautiful future," but not all residents are ready for such a step.
What is happening?
The relocation project was initiated and is being supported by the mayor of the Luník IX district, Marcela Šándorová. According to her, the first ten families have already bought property in the Hungarian border village of Hidasnémeti. In total, 50 families plan to move.
This is not about social housing, but about the full purchase of houses. Families are becoming owners of properties with gardens and all utilities — water, electricity, and gas. This is a radical difference from the conditions they live in now. As reported by Korzár SME, the mayor is helping with paperwork and communication with the Hungarian side.
Luník IX: why are people leaving?
Luník IX has long been known as the largest Roma ghetto in Slovakia, with a population of several thousand people. The district suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and extremely poor housing conditions. Many apartments in panel buildings are in a state of disrepair, often without heating, water, or electricity.
The immediate reason for many to seek new housing was the news of the demolition of another apartment building on Hrebendova street. Residents losing their homes faced a choice: seek temporary shelter or dare to make drastic changes.
"A beautiful future" or the unknown?
Opinions on moving are divided.
A chance for a new life
Mayor Marcela Šándorová is convinced that the families who move will have a better future. She emphasizes that this is a unique opportunity to escape the ghetto, get their own housing, and integrate into society.
"A beautiful future awaits them. They will live like other people, have their own houses, gardens where children can play," says Šándorová.
According to her, the Hungarian side, particularly the mayor of Hidasnémeti village, Tibor Bécze, is cooperative and facilitating the process.
Fear of the unknown
At the same time, some residents of Luník IX refuse to move. The main reasons are fear of the unknown and the breakdown of social ties. People are used to their environment; their relatives and friends live here.
Main concerns:
Language barrier: Not knowing Hungarian can be a serious obstacle to employment and daily life.
Cultural differences: There are concerns about possible conflicts with the local population and difficulties with adaptation.
Loss of community: For many, it is more important to stay in their familiar social circle, even in poor conditions, than to start all over again in a foreign country.
Thus, the initiative, presented as a step towards a better life, looks like forced emigration for some. Time will tell whether the Hungarian village will truly become a new home for Roma families from Košice, or if this experiment will reveal new social challenges.
