Effective June 1, 2025, Belarus will introduce significant innovations in housing construction, as reported by the Ministry of Architecture and Construction. These changes, outlined in Presidential Decree No. 95, aim to consolidate existing forms of state support for citizens, making it easier for them to navigate the housing market and access benefits.
The decree establishes three main categories of state support for housing: preferential loans for constructing one-room houses and block apartments, one-time subsidies for the construction or purchase of houses, and financial assistance for large and young families to repay loans when children are born. Specifically, 21 categories of citizens will be eligible for preferential loans and 17 for one-time subsidies, indicating the government's commitment to helping those in need.
Speaking on the new policies, Инна Пинковская, Deputy Head of the Construction and Housing Policy Department, stated, "В указе предусмотрен универсальный порядок предоставления господдержки отдельным категориям граждан" (The decree provides for a universal procedure for granting state support to certain categories of citizens). This statement highlights the systematic approach the Ministry is taking to simplify the available support for those seeking housing.
With the new regulations, residents of localities with populations of up to 20,000 will especially benefit. They will be eligible for preferential loans for purchasing housing from both primary and secondary markets. Pинковская remarked, "Для очередников в населенных пунктах до 20 тыс. населения это существенно" (For applicants waiting for housing in localities with populations up to 20,000, this is significant). This provision ensures individuals have more options for acquiring homes, whether they are newly constructed or existing properties.
The changes also mean the construction of residential premises via shared-equity participation within housing cooperatives will be largely excluded to prevent citizens from engaging in self-construction. Instead, the focus will shift to purchasing ready-made housing built under government orders. “Но все жилые дома, которые возводятся в рамках долевого строительства, если проектная декларация опубликована до 1 июня этого года, достраиваются на тех условиях, которые предусмотрены долевым способом” (But all residential buildings being constructed under shared-equity construction, if the project declaration is published before June 1 of this year, will be built under the conditions stipulated for shared-equity holders), said Pинковская, explaining the safety net for those already committed to shared-equity agreements.
The move reflects the Belarusian government's commitment to making housing more accessible to its citizens, allowing more families the chance to secure homes without the complicated issues often associated with construction processes. By providing clearer and more straightforward support, officials hope to stimulate the housing market and promote economic growth.
With these updates to the housing policies, citizens seeking to build or purchase homes can look forward to simplified processes and expanded options starting June 1. It is expected this will significantly impact the availability and affordability of housing across Belarus, particularly benefitting those who have struggled previously to find appropriate housing solutions.
