State Duma approves Faizullin as Russian construction, housing and utilities minister

MOSCOW. May 14 (Interfax) - The State Duma on Tuesday approved the nomination of Irek Faizullin for Russian construction, housing and utilities minister after voting 353-0, with 80 abstentions.

Faizullin informed members about a program of core areas of the ministry's work. The program largely focuses on achieving the goals and objectives set out in the May 7, 2024 presidential decree, which were first unveiled by the Russian president in his address to the Federal Assembly.

In particular, the program involves building more homes to provide citizens with at least 33 square meters of housing per person by 2030, rising to 38 square meters by 2036. Also, the program stipulates housing renovation, meaning a sustained reduction of homes deemed unsuitable for living and renovating, by 2030, at least 20% of homes compared to 2019.

The program sets the target of reducing the homebuilding investment cycle to shorten the construction period by 300 days.

In addition, the quality of utility services should be improved for 20 million people by 2030, the program said.