Life construction

Housing provision is the central problem in the social security system
Housing provision is the central problem in the social security system

Major Igor Medushevsky, head of the housing policy of the main construction and exploitation department of the Armed Forces, told our correspondent about the steps being taken to tackle the problem

— Is that true that the housing problem has been made less acute recently?

— I do not think it is legitimate to call it a problem. To say good bye and forget about it is impossible. The line of those in need of better living conditions will never get shorter, as some reach the pension age, while others, the younger ones, take their places and ask for housing. In some sense, life is movement in circles. It would be better to say that finding the appropriate solution to the housing problem is a shared interest of servicemen and the state. The necessity of supplying the military with flats and houses and of improving the housing laws will be in place as long as the Armed Forces exist.

As well, let’s not forget about the recent dramatic cuts in the number of the Armed Forces staff and that all servicemen, who retired or were transferred to the reserve, should be eligible for better living conditions. However, the lack of funds pushes off the final solution to the question and our strong desire to provide all military men with housing cannot be realised here and now.

— Today the state proposes to involve off-budget means and individual savings into housing construction. What measures is the Defence Ministry taking to contribute to the general effort?

— At the moment, the Defence Ministry is working out the accumulative system of the housing provision of the army. The current system of housing supply falls out of line with the present economic situation. Therefore, whichever way the events develop, it is necessary to be ready to invest one’s own money into the housing construction.

In fact, joining a housing construction society to build a flat is a form of investing both one’s own funds and state-granted loans, which are later expected to be paid back to the state.

— Is this system of housing construction societies effective?

— It has made an important contribution. It has not eliminated the problem completely, but has removed the edge off it. Besides, the order of succession in getting the help in the above system proved to be fair and equal. Each year about 1,500 servicemen retire and their positions are refilled with the newcomers. This is an incessant process. This is life. A soldier builds a flat, then he starts a family and is again in need of a larger apartment. And it is at this moment that housing construction societies are really helpful.

— Do you think the military on pension would want to begin constructing a flat?

— They will, I reckon, and many of them, because they will be put on the list of those in need of better housing conditions in the nearest village or town, become eligible for financial assistance and a soft credit for housing construction.

Igor Kandral
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