Tatarstan could be pilot region within new major repair programme

Tatarstan could be the pilot region within a new programme on housing capital repair, said today the Tatarstan Minister of Construction, Architecture and Housing Marat Khousnoullin at the Cabinet of Ministers.

The minister noted that the implementation in 2 years of a 4-year repair programme with the participation of the Housing Reform Fund had allowed by 30 percent resolve the issue of under-repair in residential buildings. “Since Tatarstan used all the available means provided by the Housing Reform Fund, we in the republic had the biggest percent of completed repair,” the minister enhanced. “Along with that, based on preliminary estimates, 21 million square metres still require full repair, the programme costs about 33 billon roubles. That is why we, having completed the programme and obtained all funds to the last kopek from the federal fund, intend to go on with the overhaul.”

Marat Khousnoullin admitted the present-day economic situation complicated further funding of the progamme. “But since we have good relations with the fund, we have agreed to launch a new pilot project in Tatarstan,” said the ministry’s chief. “The fund will in two years finish its work but the question of what happens next arises across the entire Russia. We will try to answer it using Tatarstan as an example.”

The pilot project will be launched in 2010. Funds for capital repair will be allocated from several sources. “We will try to draw funds for profitable energy-saving measures – we are now negotiating with suppliers of gauging devices and equipment allowing saving resources. It will be a leasing scheme,” said Marat Khousnoullin. “We will also try, despite all difficulties, to allocate funds from the republic’s and local municipalities’s budgets. We hope residence owners will help.”

“The last two years within the programme revealed that co-financing from the population could in some regions be 5 to 18 percent. That is to say, people got active. When they see that funds are allocated for renovation, in many residential buildings people get together and pay for some of the works,” emphasised the minister. “That is why, I urge the citizens – those willing to take part in the programme next year, should apply now.”

The minister reported provisional financing volumes for 2010. Through collecting funds from the republic, municipalities and private persons, Tatarstan intends to obtain at least 2 billion roubles. The same amount is intended to be received from the federal budget. “I would like to note again that by law we have been given all the funds,” said Khousnoullin. “We will have to ask to amend the government’s resolutions, possibly, to do it at the State Duma level.”