UNHCR commends the increase of budget for housing care in 2017 and calls for further improvements in the application and purchase procedures. c) Access to basic public infrastructure Positive developments in terms of increase and timely distribution of funds to local selfgovernance units in the areas of return have been noted in 2017. In comparison to 2016 when two million HRK (EUR 266,000) were allocated to eight return communities in December 2016, for 2017, 3 million HRK (EUR 400,000) were allocated in June 2017 to 11 communities (Benkovac, Obrovac, Virovitica, Vukovar and Knin and municipalities Gracac, Oprisavci, Plaski, Ervenik, Jasenovac and Kistanje). The Areas of Special State Concern where most Serb refugees return to, continue to lack adequate infrastructure. One specific problem that affects primarily Serb returnees is the (re)connection to the electrical grid of some 50 rural and remote settlements still without access to electricity. UNHCR praises the increase and timely distribution of funds to local self-government’s units for supporting return and calls for re-electrification of returnee villages. d) Employment and basic means of subsistence In July 2017, the Croatian Parliament adopted The Strategy of Regional Development by 20208, followed by the Action Plan for Implementation of the Strategy for the period 2017-20199. This comprehensive document recognizes the so-called assisted areas, all of whom are encompassing return areas. Those areas are, based on the development index, in need of further support. The Government will assist them in order to achieve balanced development of the country and prevent their further economic and social decline. The Action Plan suggests strengthening employment measures, social welfare, health services and civil society development and provides a sound basis for structured reforms to enhance development of deprived areas. In July 2017, UNHCR Croatia met with the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds and addressed the need for comprehensive approach in assisting war-affected areas. The Minister announced the above-mentioned strategy, which was at this point in the 8 Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, The Strategy of Regional Development until 2020, July 2017, https://razvoj.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/O%20ministarstvu/Regionalni%20razvoj/razvojne%20strategije/Strategi ja%20regionalnog%20razvoja%20Republike%20Hrvatske%20za%20razdoblje%20do%20kraja%202020._HS. pdf 9 Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, The Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategy of Regional Development for the Period 2017-2019, November 2017, https://razvoj.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/O%20ministarstvu/Regionalni%20razvoj/razvojne%20strategije/Akcijski %20plan%20za%20razdoblje%202017.2019.%20za%20provedbu%20Strategije%20regionalnog%20razvoja%20Republike%20Hrvatske%20za%20raz doblje%20do%20kraja%202020.%20godine_27_11_2017.pdf 10