Riga has recorded a decrease in the number of people registered in the queue for social housing and rental assistance. Over six months, the figure decreased from 1,507 to 1,389 applicants.
As of January 1, there were 1,507 individuals or families registered in the registers, while by June 1, this number had decreased by 118 to 1,389.
The reduction is observed in several key categories of the queue. For instance, the number of applicants for social housing or rental has decreased from 748 to 719. The number of orphans and children left without parental care has decreased from 417 to 383.
The most noticeable decline — by 23% — was recorded among low-income large families. Their number decreased from 138 to 106.
Elina Treija, the chairwoman of the Housing and Environment Committee of the Riga City Council, noted that the revision of housing distribution has improved the efficiency of the municipal fund's use.
According to her, a more rational distribution allows for larger apartments to be allocated to large families, while smaller housing is given to single or small households.
There is also an increase in the number of applications for the exchange of municipal housing: the figure rose from 48 to 55. Authorities consider this a sign of a more conscious approach to utilizing housing support.
The reduction in the queue is also partially related to the implementation of EU-funded projects aimed at developing the municipal housing stock. As part of one of the projects, 210 apartments will be renovated in Riga, and in the next phase of the program, it is planned to update another 203 residential units by 2027.
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