In 2018, Belarus plans to carry out major repairs of 2.9 million sq.m of housing, which is 11.5% more than in 2017 (2.6 million sq.m). This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services.
According to the state program "Comfortable Housing and a Favourable Environment" for 2016-2020, major repairs of 875 thousand sq.m of residential buildings will be carried out in Minsk, 400 thousand sq.m in the Vitebsk region, 395 thousand sq.m in the Gomel region, 330 thousand sq.m each in the Minsk and Mogilev regions, 290 thousand sq.m in the Grodno region, and 280 thousand sq.m in the Brest region.
"The volume of major repairs will approach 3% of the operational area. The ratio of financing by the budget and the population will remain two to one. Emphasis will be placed on improving technologies and reducing the timeframes for work execution. Organizations should be selected on a competitive basis. It is planned to define a list of mandatory works," the ministry reported.
The scope of major repairs includes the repair and replacement of internal engineering systems for electricity, heating, gas, and water supply, sewage disposal, roof repair, and replacement of windows and doors in auxiliary premises. Major repairs also include the installation and replacement of canopies over entrances to stairwells, basements, and over balconies on upper floors, foundation repair, restoration of blind areas, etc. The necessity of major repairs is determined based on an assessment of the building's condition, its service life, and the general plan of residential development. Programs are developed by district and city executive committees, and local administrations of city districts upon the proposal of clients operating the housing stock.