They don't lend money to strangers here

The capital wants to help with housing only for its own people

Moscow authorities continue to try to reduce the queue of people wishing to acquire housing in Moscow. Yesterday, deputies of the Moscow City Duma updated the “Fundamentals of the housing policy of the city of Moscow” - the basic law according to which relations are built between 500 thousand citizens applying for improved housing conditions and the relevant capital officials. In addition to changes that eliminate the possibility of double interpretation of the law, the Fundamentals also spell out new mechanisms for purchasing an apartment with the help of the city. In particular, in addition to the already operating and popular schemes for subsidizing those on the waiting list and providing them with housing with payment in installments, the city authorities intend to also issue loans for the purchase of an apartment. Moreover, by increasing financial assistance to city residents, Moscow pursues exclusively the goal of saving: according to deputies, everyone who can pay for at least part of their square meters will leave the queue for free housing for social rent.

However, the capital's authorities do not hide that this assistance will be addressed only to Muscovites. And they intend to continue the dispute with the Supreme Court, which in early October abolished the “residence qualification” - a ten-year period of residence in the city, which was previously necessary for registration to improve housing conditions. According to the chairman of the commission on housing policy and communal reform of the Moscow City Duma, deputy Galina Khovanskaya, a complaint has already been sent to the Supreme Court the other day. However, in a conversation with a correspondent of the Vremya Novostei newspaper, Ms. Khovanskaya emphasized that the decision of the Supreme Court concerned only registration, and “the subsequent provision of housing remains the prerogative of the city - depending on its financial capabilities and priorities.”

And Moscow’s priorities, it seems, will apply only to its natives and citizens who have long lived in the capital. This can be judged by at least one more document adopted yesterday by the Moscow City Duma. Deputies approved in the second reading the law “On priorities for the provision for use or acquisition of residential premises with the help of the city in 2002-2003.” However, they promised to seriously correct this document by the third reading, which determines to whom next year housing will be allocated out of turn and in the first place. We are talking about excluding from the category of “extraordinary” beneficiaries from the so-called federal list: military personnel, “Chernobyl victims” and patients with open tuberculosis. They will have equal rights with Muscovites who joined the queue in 1982-1983.

Oleg VOLKOV