Vladimir Putin: “The housing issue is one of the key issues that determines the level of quality of life of people”

Chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a session of the RF State Council Presidium on issues of reforming the housing complex and construction of affordable housing took place in Kazan.

By the order of Russian president Vladimir Putin, Mintimer Shaimiev had headed the working group on preparation of the session of the RF State Council Presidium. In his report to the participants of the meeting, Mintimer Shaimiev marked that as many as 22 RF subjects had made constructive proposals. He focused on three key questions: affordability of housing, reforming the hosing and utilities infrastructure and overhaul of residential properties.

In the discussion that lasted for more than three hours, the heads of Russian regions and cities offered their “recipes” for an effective “cure” of the housing and utilities infrastructure, including those of St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov. RF Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref shared his view on the urgent matter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed satisfaction with the results of the session. Commenting on the discussion, he said that setting the priorities the federal centre is facing today on the one pan of the scales there is dilapidated housing while on the other one there are such important issues as development of the infrastructure, road, ports and airports construction. “We cannot allow the situation where some people would drive Mercedeses on good roads of the future while others would vegetate in barracks that fall to pieces. – He emphasized. – These are priorities, but at the head of these priorities should a person”.