Specialists will also assess how agricultural land is being used.
On Monday, Vladimir Putin met with Director-General of the Housing Construction Development Facilitation Fund Alexander Braverman. Braverman reported that the fund is attracting foreign investors "that had some reservations in the past and who manage over $150 billion." A contract was signed with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the construction of houses on plots exceeding 100 hectars.
Braverman said areas with rundown and dilapidated housing will receive new modern buildings in the next two years.
Regarding new student hostels, Putin instructed that the Fund should find out which universities plan to construct hostels and which just own land plots. Braverman promised that the former will be provided with land plots free of charge.
Putin said he recently discussed the provision of housing for young scientists with the president of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
"The issue is complicated," Braverman said. "Young scientists are often unable to pay their first installment and monthly payments. Sberbank and our fund are working together on a special project called "Young Scientist." The project will provide housing on favourable terms for young scientists who hold PhDs and are less than 35; to scientists with DSc degrees who are under 45 and who have worked in the Russian Academy of Sciences for a number of years; and scientists working in priority high-tech sectors, including bioengineering, IT, etc."
The prime minister instructed Braverman to review farmland usage, particularly in the Tver Region. "We should not touch farmland being used by agricultural producers. Your fund will only take vacant property not being used by the state," the prime minister explained.
"We will review it," Braverman promised.
"Agreed," Putin nodded.
Larisa Kaftan