21 April, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The draft Concept of the State Housing Policy of Belarus for 2012-2015, submitted for public discussion, is aimed at supporting young families and low-income categories of citizens, stated the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, in an interview with a BELTA correspondent. "Housing is the foundation for every person starting their life and building a family, therefore, the state housing policy is primarily aimed at supporting young and low-income families," stressed the governor. Housing programmes will continue to be developed in the region. "Current interest rates will decrease, and everything will fall into place. People will build," Alexander Kosinets is confident. In the Vitebsk region, individual construction will be a priority in the coming years. The opportunity to obtain land plots will be provided to all who wish, both in large cities and in district centres. "I am a proponent of powerful construction development. This sector, like a locomotive, pulls about 30 other sectors behind it – from electronics to light industry. It is necessary to understand that construction cannot be stopped; it threatens losses for the economy," believes the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee. The draft Concept of the State Housing Policy of Belarus for 2012-2015 envisages, taking into account the potential capabilities of the country's construction complex in housing commissioning, increasing the volume of individual housing construction and the parameters of the Programme for Socio-Economic Development of Belarus for 2011-2015, the construction of 6.5 million sq.m. of housing in 2013, 8.5 million sq.m. of housing in 2014, and by 2015, the volume of housing commissioned in the country will reach 9.5 million sq.m. The draft document states that in the structure of housing construction financing, the share of funds from citizens and organisations will increase from 44.4% in 2011 to 60% in 2015, including the share of personal funds of citizens from 35% to 50%. Part of preferential loans and budget funds will be directed towards the construction of rental housing. The draft Concept has been submitted for public discussion until 15 May.-0-

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