The new National Housing Strategy is expected to be ready by the end of 2027

The new National Housing Strategy is expected to be ready by the end of 2027. A procedure is underway to create a new strategic document in accordance with the current socio-political, socio-economic and demographic conditions and problems in the country, consistent with the current housing policies and efforts to ensure the affordability of housing in the European Union. It is planned to run until at least 2040. The aim is to create the framework for a national housing policy for the whole population.

This became clear at a meeting of the Deputy Ministers of Regional Development and Public Works, Pavleta Pelovska and Desislava Georgieva, with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Michael O’Flaherty, and his team.

In her speech, Deputy Minister Pelovska stressed that the MRDPW is guided by the rule of law, proportionality and respect for human dignity. “The Ministry’s policy is aimed at all Bulgarian citizens,” she stressed. And he drew attention to the Ministry's active dialogue with various bodies and mechanisms of the Council of Europe in the field of human rights. Some examples of this are the participation of MRDPW in the dialogue within the evaluation visit of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and in the process of implementation of the recommendations under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

“With EU funds, we are building on efforts at national level,” said Deputy Minister Georgieva. She informed about investments in energy efficiency and housing infrastructure under the 2021-2027 Development of Regions Programme and the 2014-2020 Operational Programme Regions in Growth. In the current programming period, nearly EUR 90 million have been allocated to the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock and EUR 29.35 million to the construction of new energy-efficient buildings. Just over EUR 17 million is earmarked for housing infrastructure and around EUR 70 million for other social infrastructure contributing to social inclusion in the community.  Under OPRG 2014-2020, 18 social housing projects were implemented for around EUR 22 million. "Thanks to the investment, 854 dwellings in urban areas have been renovated. With this we have improved the housing conditions of 1688 representatives of marginalised groups", added Deputy Minister Georgieva. She assured that support will continue beyond 2027 “In the context of European funding, we have good practices in place to coordinate infrastructure measures with measures to provide social services, with a view to providing comprehensive solutions to social problems. Further work with local authorities is needed on incentives and capacity for more projects, broad public consultation and better understanding of problems before implementing infrastructure measures", she summed up.

Commissioner O’Flaherty welcomed the Ministry’s cooperation with local authorities. Discussions on current topics will continue.