Rustam Minnikhanov proposed to make preferential mortgage programs indefinite

Rustam Minnikhanov, the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, proposed to make preferential mortgage programs indefinite by analogy with rural mortgages today at a joint meeting of the commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation on Construction, Housing and Communal Services, Urban Environment and the State Duma Committee on Construction and Housing.

Recall that the issue of improving the legislative regulation of the construction industry and housing and communal services is on the agenda. Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin opened the meeting.

Further, the chairman of the commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation in the direction of "Construction, Housing and communal services, urban environment" Rustam Minnikhanov noted that thanks to timely measures taken by the President of the country and the Government of the Russian Federation, the construction industry has gained a good pace and demonstrates positive dynamics. In particular, in Tatarstan, he said, it is planned to complete the year with a record figure for housing commissioning – more than 3 million square meters. m

He particularly noted the programs of preferential mortgage lending.

"Preferential mortgage programs have allowed the population to generate a steady demand for housing purchases. We see that in general, in the country over the 10 months of 2023, the number of mortgage loans increased by 61% compared to last year, - said Rustam Minnikhanov. - But there is one question. The key rate has increased by 2 times, and this will lead to an increase in mortgage rates and a reduction in sales rates. This is already evident by the results of October compared to September."

Rustam Minnikhanov said that the primary housing market will be supported by preferential mortgage programs. At the same time, he clarified: "We see that today the average cost of a two-room apartment in Kazan is 12-13 million rubles. This is the most popular option for families with children."

The Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan proposed to make a decision to increase the maximum loan amount for family and preferential mortgages from the current 6 to 12 million rubles. Secondly, he supported the proposal voiced by Marat Khusnullin - to maintain the current interest rates on family (6%), preferential (8%) and rural (3%) mortgages.

"One of the main criteria for evaluating the activity of governors is to improve the living conditions of the population," Rustam Minnikhanov recalled. "How will we improve housing conditions if mortgages are not available to people?"

Rustam Minnikhanov also drew attention to the fact that each expiration of preferential programs generates a rush demand for housing. Therefore, he proposed to make preferential mortgage programs indefinite by analogy with rural mortgages – if there are limits.

He also drew attention to such an important issue as the construction of new housing in small towns. "This is especially important for the development of production and the preservation of the population in these territories," he stressed. "And at the same time, it will help keep housing prices down, increase market supply, and reduce migration to major cities."

Another direction relevant for all regions is to increase the volume of construction of social housing without the right to privatization, Rustam Minnikhanov further said. For example, 38,600 families in Tatarstan alone have the right or need better housing conditions. At the same time, only 1 thousand of them are provided with housing annually due to republican and federal programs. New mechanisms should also be sought in this matter, he believes.

In addition, the gap between the pace of housing construction and social infrastructure is a deterrent to complex development. Here, according to Rustam Minnikhanov, it is necessary to preserve the Incentive program and extend its mechanism of action to the creation of social facilities. "And here the developers are ready to participate and co-finance this construction," Minnikhanov stressed. "Developers also propose to review the mechanism of escrow accounts in terms of income distribution between them and banks for the construction of social infrastructure."

The next topic raised at the meeting is the state and development of the housing and communal services system. Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that this topic is one of the main ones for the population and still causes a lot of complaints from citizens.

I think it is necessary to increase the role of the state in the management of the apartment fund, Minnikhanov said. He recalled that a draft law on amendments to the licensing procedure for management companies is currently in the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

The speaker expressed special gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the program of modernization of the municipal infrastructure.