The draft law on social housing, which aims to help around 7,000 families secure a home through low-interest loans, has been approved in the parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources. The initiative provides for changes to the current housing scheme, while the majority has proposed that beneficiary categories also include families affected by natural disasters.
During discussions, the head of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Taulant Balla, called for support to be extended to families damaged by the earthquake, for whom the reconstruction process has not yet been completed. According to him, unused funds from municipalities could serve to finance this process. Balla also expressed regret over the absence of some opposition MPs from the meeting, emphasizing the importance of approving an initiative aimed at facilitating housing for families in need.
On the other hand, Socialist MP Pirro Vengu acknowledged that social housing mechanisms so far have not produced the expected results. He noted the contrast between the number of homes on the market and the high sale and rental prices, which remain unaffordable for many citizens. According to Vengu, the state should take a more active role in creating the housing fund, since the previous scheme, which provided for a 3% contribution from builders, has not proved sufficiently effective.
The discussions in the committee were also accompanied by criticism from the opposition regarding the rising cost of living and the difficulties faced especially by young people in buying or renting an apartment. MP of the Bashkë Movement Redi Muçi argued that real estate prices have risen much faster than wages, describing the situation in the real estate market as worrying. According to him, while wages have risen at a certain pace, apartment prices have recorded an increase three times higher.
Muçi also criticized developments in the construction sector, raising concerns about informality and the risk of creating an economic bubble. Despite the debates and the boycott of the meeting by part of the opposition, the draft law was approved in committee. The initiative will be further reviewed in other parliamentary committees before proceeding to a final vote in Parliament.