OREANDA-NEWS. On January 29, 2007 President Viktor Yushchenko held a meeting dedicated to building affordable accommodation, reported the Official website www.kmu.gov.ua.

Other participants of the meeting were the Verkhovna Rada Speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Vice Prime Minister O. Turchynov, Minister for Regional Development V. Kuybida, Communal services Minister O. Kucherenko, regions representatives, etc.

Addressing those present President stressed that 2008 budget should foresee at least 500 million hryvnyas for "Affordable accommodation" program. The program is to target 2/3 of Ukrainian citizens who may not apply for social accommodation, yet have no funds to buy a commercial housing thus having no perspectives to solve their accommodation problems.

Currently according to the new plan designated by the President's Decree "On measures aimed at building affordable housing in Ukraine and on improving provision of the citizens with accommodation" of November 8, 2007 the state provides a one time money aid to the buyer amounting to up to 30% of the property's cost. The rest of the cost is paid by the buyer often on credit basis. Regarding that President requested Ministry of Finance, National Bank, State Mortgage Institution and commercial banks to prepare their views on how to optimize crediting and make it as affordable as possible.

V. Yushchenko also addressed local authorities with a request to find ways to lower housing building costs such as simplifying procedures of land allotment and registration.

Speaking about possible abuse of state and buyers funds President urged law-enforcement bodies to work out a set of measures to prevent such.

Victor Yushchenko also urged Verkhovna Rada to discuss deprivation of certain groups of citizens, such as high officials or deputies, of their privileges to be given free accommodation as these privileges according to him are groundless and socially tactless.

The Government to President's mind should rationalize housing building aimed funds allocation.