The NKR Minister of Social Affairs, Narineh Azatyan, stated that during 2008 the government resolved the housing needs of 150 families in the country. The minister said that this was due to a decision adopted by the NKR's Committee on Housing Affairs. During her report, Minister Azatyan stated that of the 150 families affected, 69 were families of soldiers who died in the Artsakh War. Another 10 were families of Artskah and WW II disabled veterans, 30 were families with more than six children, 9 went to parentless children in custodial care, 16 went to refugee families and 16 to families living in dilapidated housing. In his report, Kashatagh Regional Deputy Governor Artash Mkhitaryan, said that much work remains to be done to improve the housing stock in Kashatagh given that 80% of available housing is considered to be in a state of fourth degree repair. The housing situation is especially poor in rural communities and hinders resettlement in the region, Mr. Mkhitaryan said. Mr. Mkhitaryan went on to say that there were many who have expressed a desire to resettle in the region but that adequate housing is lacking. He said that the government has adopted a new approacjh to alleviate the housing shortage that envisages allocating construction materials directly to residents in order that they make the necessary improvements. Deputy Governor Mkhitaryan could not say when the new program would take effect but noted that funds from the state budget were ready to be earmarked.