Kazakhstan Proposes 5% Mortgages to Bridge Rural-Urban Housing Gap

Kazakhstan Considers 5% Mortgage Subsidy for Rural Areas Kazakhstan is considering a significant initiative to address housing disparities between urban and rural areas. Deputy Yerlan Sairov of the AMANAT party has proposed the introduction of a 5% mortgage program specifically targeted at residents of villages, monocities, and smaller towns. This proposal comes in response to the stark difference in living space per capita: nearly 27 square meters in cities versus only 20 in rural areas. Sairov's proposal includes two key elements: a substantial increase in funding for the existing "Asyl Mekken" program and the creation of a new 5% mortgage option requiring a minimum 10% down payment. The AMANAT party views this as a matter of social justice, aiming to provide more equitable housing opportunities for those living outside of major urban centers. "Support for housing in villages is a question of fairness," Sairov stated in a recent press release. The proposal is currently under consideration by the Kazakhstani government and has sparked considerable public debate. The potential impact on rural communities and the overall housing market remains to be seen, but the proposal signals a significant step towards addressing long-standing regional inequalities.