site.btaSocial Minister Gutsanov: We Have 111 Proposals for Suitable Buildings for Elderly Care Homes

"We have received 111 proposals from mayors for buildings that are no longer in use, which could be converted into homes for elderly people. We expect more proposals to arrive as well," said Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov at a briefing at the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, following a meeting with municipal representatives regarding options to expand support for the elderly in Bulgaria.

Almost all mayors participated in the meeting, either online or in person, and according to Gutsanov, they demonstrated strong engagement with the issue. "It is extremely important that we work together with local authorities because our vision is that the funding should be allocated to the municipalities, and they should be the ones implementing the projects for renovating homes for the elderly, establishing new social services, and purchasing electric vehicles solely for social use."

Gutsanov also noted that inspections of illegal elderly care homes are ongoing.

Responding to a question from BTA, the minister said that 510 inspections have been carried out so far. "There isn’t a day without an inspection, and we expect the total number to reach 1,200 by the end of the year," Gutsanov added. He assured that institutions are successfully finding accommodation for individuals removed from illegal facilities.

The Agency for Quality of Social Services will review each building proposal to assess its potential as an elderly care home. The goal is to select the most suitable buildings from those submitted.

"The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy team will evaluate all the proposals and choose the best ones. We will consider what resources the ministry can allocate, what decisions will be needed afterward from the Council of Ministers, and we will hold discussions with the Prime Minister," Gutsanov said.

Regarding the legislative amendments announced earlier in the day by the Ministry of Justice, aimed at criminalizing the provision of health and social services for the elderly without a license, the minister said the proposals would be subject to public consultation before being reviewed by the National Assembly. Fines will also be increased, Gutsanov noted. He added that the Social Ministry has made similar proposals multiple times over the years. He hopes that the Parliament will make a decision on the proposals by the autumn.