On Wednesday, October 15, the Riga City Council (RD) considered the demands of local activists from the Purvciems neighborhood, who are calling for the abandonment of the plan to build new social housing in this neighborhood.
As is known, the Riga City Council plans to build social housing with 200–250 apartments at the corner of Dzelzavas and Lielvarde streets. Some residents have opposed this.
"With such a concentration of construction in one place, the risk of turning Purvciems into a socially disadvantaged area increases," opponents of the project point out. In particular, it has been argued that residents of social housing may pose a threat to the safety of longtime residents.
Arguments of Locals
On the platform Manabalss.lv, an initiative titled "Purvciems is Not a Ghetto" has already gathered 2,288 signatures. (2,000 were required to submit the initiative to the Riga City Council).
Here are some arguments from the initiative's author, Monta Tomshane:
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There are already over 2,100 social apartments in Purvciems, while in other areas, there are significantly fewer... Residents report finding syringes near garbage bins, dirty stairwells, which decreases the feeling of safety;
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International studies show that excessive concentration of social housing lowers the market value of surrounding real estate;
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Social houses often lack funding, they wear out quickly and decrease the attractiveness of the area;
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Purvciems is already one of the most densely populated areas, and such a large-scale social housing project threatens a balanced, safe, and quality urban environment.
We Are Not Locals
The initiative's author concludes: "We believe that building social housing as such is not bad, but problems arise when such housing is concentrated in one place. Purvciems is already the most densely populated area in Riga, moreover, with the highest share of social housing in Latvia...
Public information indicates that the municipality has several other plots of land, the development of which would ensure a more fair and balanced distribution of social housing in the city. This approach would help maintain a balanced urban environment in Purvciems while implementing the necessary social housing policy in other areas of Riga, where it would not create excessive strain on the district's infrastructure and the quality of life for residents."
As the initiative's author points out, local residents would maintain a safer and calmer environment – "there will be no additional conditions for the growth of hooliganism, vandalism, and anti-social behavior, which are usually caused by excessive concentration of social housing in one area," and the value of their property – "the market value of local residents' housing will not be put at risk, and the area will remain attractive for investment."
"The Statement is Unacceptable!"
At the meeting of the Riga City Council, a representative of Purvciems activists stated that the chosen location for construction is not suitable for residents with limited physical abilities because the surrounding environment is not well-equipped, and people would be trapped in their homes.
However, the council members pointed out the difference between what was expressed at the council meeting and the documents presented, as well as the arguments in the initiative published on Manabalss.lv.
Sorting residents by income level is unacceptable, the council members indicated.
According to the provisions of the law, a collective statement cannot contain demands that are clearly unacceptable in a democratic society or are blatantly offensive.
The collective statement must not violate values based on respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights, including the rights of minorities.
What is the outcome: The Riga City Council will not consider this initiative from the Purvciems activists.
"Elderly and Sick People Will Live Here"
The Riga City Council previously explained why this specific location — the corner of Lielvarde and Dzelzavas streets — was chosen.
One of the main reasons is that there must be free land from the municipality. Also, potential clients are interested in having the Oncology Center of the Gaiļezers Hospital nearby. Given the social profile of the people living there, this will be relevant for them, explained the municipality's representative, Mārtiņš Vīlēmsons, to journalists.
The municipality also categorically rejects all assumptions that social houses will worsen the criminal situation in the area, as elderly people who need constant care and are under the supervision of specialists live in such houses.
Social houses are places for people who cannot take care of themselves. These are low-income individuals or people with disabilities. In these houses, there are one or two small rooms, where one or two people live. And there is also a caretaker in the house who supervises, Mārtiņš Vīlēmsons explained.
