Minister: One m2 of subsidized housing is 20% lower than average wage in Belarus

MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) – The cost of one square meter of subsidized housing in 2022 is 20% lower than the average salary in Belarus, Architecture and Construction Minister Ruslan Parkhamovich told the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA informs.

“This year, the ratio of the cost of one square meter of subsidized housing and the average salary will be 0.8. In other words, the average salary is 20% higher than the cost of one square meter of subsidized housing. I think this trend will continue next year,” Ruslan Parkhamovich said.

The task for 2022 was to introduce 4.2 million square meters of housing in Belarus, including 1.2 million square meters of subsidized housing. “As of now, more than 85% of housing was commissioned and over 90% of subsidized housing was built. The plans outlined in the state program will be implemented. Several regions have already fulfilled the targets related to subsidized housing construction. Brest Oblast is already 30% ahead of the plan. Minsk is 10% ahead, Minsk Oblast has fulfilled the plan, too,” the minister said.

Next year, in accordance with the state program, it is necessary to build 4.3 million square meters of housing, including 1.3 million square meters of subsidized homes. “So we will slightly increase the share of subsidized housing in the total volume of commissioned homes. Today it is about 27%, and next year it will exceed 30%,” Ruslan Parkhamovich added.

As for families with many children, the plan for providing them with homes has been fulfilled for the current year; housing has been built for more than 8,500 such families, although the plan was 8,300. “So the plans are being implemented ahead of schedule. More than that, next year we are set to build homes for 9,300 families with many children. The need for housing for large families is increasing, and we will meet their housing needs. Moreover, in line with Directive No. 8, large families should have the opportunity to start building homes within a year after they apply,” the minister noted.

Single-family homes are also popular. “People continue building detached homes. 46% of all housing is single-family housing (with the target at 40%),” he said. Decree No. 253 on construction amnesty that is being enforced now and Decree No. 202 on simplified construction that will come into force on 1 January will give an additional impetus to the construction of single-family homes, Ruslan Parkhamovich believes.