Belarus is set to introduce new regulations aimed at bolstering the housing sector, with significant changes scheduled to take effect from June 1, 2025. These updates were detailed by the Ministry of Architecture and Construction, referencing Presidential Decree No. 95, which was enacted on March 6, 2025.
The decree consolidates various forms of state support available for housing construction and acquisition, aiming to simplify the process for citizens. According to officials, the changes will clarify options for individuals seeking to build homes or purchase property.
Three primary forms of government support outlined in the decree include preferential loans designated for the construction of one-room apartments or apartments within block houses, one-time subsidies for housing construction or acquisition intended for 21 different categories of citizens, and financial assistance aimed particularly at large and young families to help repay preferential loans upon having children.
Notably, residents living in areas with populations of up to 20,000 will benefit from special provisions when it pertains to purchasing housing. They can access preferential loans for acquiring homes both through the primary market, which includes properties built by state order, and the secondary market. This provision ensures more flexible opportunities for homeownership.
Except for large families who may purchase homes elsewhere, the decree aims to assist those waiting for housing solutions, especially within smaller towns where prices on the secondary market might be lower than newly constructed homes. Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Construction and Housing Policy, Inn P. K., commented, "But for those on the waiting list living in localities with populations under 20,000, this is significant because they can not only construct but also buy housing. Some small towns offer lower secondary market square meter prices, which makes this initiative beneficial for them."
Importantly, the updated regulations preserve the rights of all categories of citizens eligible for state support concerning housing, maintaining existing conditions under which assistance is provided. The new path, as outlined, does clarify some aspects of the previous systems. For example, government support will no longer be available for individuals trying to fund housing construction through shared-equity frameworks typical of housing construction cooperatives (ZhSK), facilitating more direct ownership of finished homes rather than participation as builders.
The decree effectively prohibits direct engagement of citizens in the construction process through cooperative models, which, it is hoped, will streamline the overall housing situation by ensuring individuals simply acquire properties built to government specifications. This is highlighted by the ministry, reinforcing the focus on providing ready-made housing, acting as both safety and security for potential homeowners.
Although the state funding mechanism will draw to close cooperation with shared tenement projects, all residential buildings commissioned under shared-equity construction prior to June 1, 2025, will proceed according to previously stipulated conditions, provided their project declarations were published before this cutoff date.
Inn P. K. emphasized, "These innovations concern housing, which will begin to be constructed from June 1, 2025, as from this date the decree takes effect," effectively signaling the Belarusian government’s commitment to improving housing access among its citizens and reshaping the regulatory framework around residential construction.
With these reforms, Belarus aims to provide clarity and simplicity to citizens engaged with housing matters, potentially allowing more families the opportunity to improve their living conditions significantly. This initiative is seen as a necessary step to navigate the challenges posed by housing shortages, particularly as local populations continue to grow and evolve.
These housing policy changes are undoubtedly intended to create space for new developments and cleaner strategies for targeting niches within the market, and they could significantly influence the housing sector across the republic. By streamlining support mechanisms and shifting the focus toward direct housing acquisition, the government is taking solid steps to address the pressing need for homes.
