Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed this Thursday the details of the new reform in the field of housing, during the presentation of the National Housing Program for Albania, "Renaissance 2.0".
Rama announced that the new legal draft on housing will soon go through public consultation and then to Parliament, while the reform will bring six new programs, which, according to him, will be addressed together in a comprehensive reform.
"There are 6 new programs, which we will address all together, I don't mean inventions when I say new, but they are packaged together in a comprehensive reform," he declared.
The head of government explained that the first program is related to social rental housing, but with a new approach.
According to him, it will not be just about building housing and then waiting in line for beneficiaries, as several instruments will be used, including new construction, direct purchase from the market, and the adaptation of state or confiscated facilities.
"The rental of social housing will be a program that will become more complex and not just wait for it to be built and then have the chance to get an apartment in a long queue where it is not known how the selection will end," said Rama.
"New construction, direct purchases from the market, adaptation of state or confiscated buildings will be envisaged. We have confiscated quite a few buildings and we will confiscate any building that violates the rules for building permits. Of course, the rental bonus too... We will use all instruments!", he added.
The second program will focus on low-cost housing, through state subsidization of loans, while part of the reform will also include the improvement of existing housing for vulnerable groups and infrastructure interventions in informal areas.
The cabinet number one also announced that there will be programs for temporary housing for people affected by natural disasters, as well as special housing for individuals with disabilities.
"Low-cost housing, a program related to state subsidy of credit, taking into account that the loaned housing falls into the category of low-cost housing," said the Prime Minister.
"Improvement of existing housing for vulnerable groups as well as a special infrastructure program in informal areas and to adapt certain housing as social housing. Temporary housing for those affected by natural disasters and special housing is the sixth program, for families with people with disabilities, or for individuals with disabilities," he stated.