On January 23, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting to discuss the results of the work done in 2024 within the framework of the mortgage program, as well as plans for 2025.

Last year, more than 40 million square meters of various buildings and structures were built in the country. In particular, 2,044 apartment buildings with over 100 thousand apartments were erected.

The housing sector is not only a social aspect or a construction issue, but also one of the drivers of economic development in the regions. In particular, 350 thousand people were involved in the construction of these houses and in related industries. An additional market worth 11 trillion UZS has been formed in the furniture, electrical equipment, textiles, and building materials sectors. 73 trillion UZS are involved in the economy, and the budget received 14 trillion UZS.

To stimulate the industry, 59 thousand people received mortgage loans for 17 trillion UZS in 2024. A total of 3 trillion UZS of working capital were allocated to builders and developers.

The results would be even better if all opportunities were used to the fullest. However, in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as in Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, some projects were unfinished. In many areas, construction never began on dozens of land plots purchased at auction. Due to the remoteness of residential areas and infrastructure, 781 apartments remained unsold.

The Head of state expressed dissatisfaction with the work progress, especially in the New Uzbekistan housing estates.

“The construction of the New Uzbekistan housing estates is part of the presidential policy. Thanks to them, the regions are being improved, the culture and education of residents are increasing, the worldview is changing, trade and the service sector are growing”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized. 

In this regard, a new procedure will be established. From now on, the design of the New Uzbekistan neighborhood should take no more than two months, and construction should begin within three months. If this requirement is violated, the land is put up for auction again. The design examination is allowed to be carried out in a maximum of 15 days.

This year, 1.2 trillion UZS will be allocated for the infrastructure of such areas.

With the introduction of the escrow system, developers will have the opportunity to attract up to $1 billion in working capital at a lower interest rate. It is essential that financing and construction can be carried out in parallel. Citizens will be able to receive a mortgage loan and a subsidy at the initial stage of construction and, if desired, sell their housing before the completion of the facility.

Another opportunity opens up for reliable developers: citizens can receive loans and subsidies as soon as 50 percent of the residential facility is built. This procedure will apply not only to preferential but also to commercial mortgage loans.

Construction organizations are exempt from paying land tax from the start to the end of construction, but for no more than 12 months. If the facility is not completed on time, the developer will pay double the land tax.

Ten percent of the land allocated for the New Uzbekistan housing estate will be auctioned as one lot for the construction of commercial buildings. In addition, if private kindergartens are opened on the first two floors of residential buildings, their activities will be supported by an exemption from property tax.

In total, 100 New Uzbekistan housing estates are planned to be built by 2030. Land plots for this will be allocated 1-2 kilometers from the borders of district centers or cities designed to accommodate at least 70 thousand people. In each such housing estate, it is planned to build 2 thousand apartments with a total area of ​​100 thousand square meters.

For the high-quality organization of the work, the company O’z Uyim (My Home) will be created with the participation of modern managers. It will be responsible for selecting land plots, designing, constructing, and furthering the operation of the New Uzbekistan housing estates.

Special attention was paid to issues of quality and control in construction. It was noted that these processes will be simplified.

In particular, builders can coordinate completed projects with the relevant departments online through the Shaffof Qurilish platform. The Construction Control Inspectorate will check the compliance of the facility under construction with the project and issue a conclusion upon completion of construction. If necessary, other specialized specialists will be involved. The laboratory that checks seismic resistance during construction will provide a conclusion upon completion of the work at no additional charge. To put the building into operation, instead of the current seven departments, only the findings of the construction inspectorate and the fire safety service will be required.

The master plan of the city of Tashkent was recently approved. Combining the stages of issuing an architectural planning assignment and a construction permit is necessary, cutting the waiting time in half. From 2025, this system will be implemented in other areas. A single digital monitoring will be available at each stage – from obtaining land to putting the building into operation. 

To attract more reliable developers to the industry, from now on, only legal entities that are VAT payers will be able to purchase land plots for the construction of apartment buildings at auction.

Today, 15 thousand apartment buildings do not have registered adjacent territories, so the boundaries of the plots serviced by management and service companies are not defined. An order has been given to designate such plots, assign them to management companies, engage in landscaping, and protect the environment. The need to enshrine contractual relations and standards for green zones in law was noted.

This year, the country plans to build 120 thousand apartments. Also, in New Tashkent, it is planned to build housing with 15 thousand apartments. These houses will be provided with green energy. For reliable energy supply, the private sector will install electricity storage systems with a capacity of 100 megawatt-hours.

In New Tashkent, the heating and cooling of houses will be carried out using centralized trigeneration. This will reduce electricity consumption in the summer by four times. Requirements for increased energy efficiency will be implemented in all buildings and structures. Transport and lighting infrastructure and charging stations will be exclusively green.

The issue of renovating old houses was also touched upon. As a result of such a program, land use efficiency will increase by 4-5 times, and utility costs will be halved. But the main thing is that it changes the lifestyle of residents, dramatically improves living conditions, and promotes employment growth and economic development.

Such work has already begun in the cities of Jizzakh, Margilan, Kokand, Shakhrisabz, and Karshi, as well as in Dustlik district and one of the capital’s districts. Gradually, renovation is planned to be extended to other regions.

This year, it is planned to allocate 15.5 trillion UZS from the budget to finance housing programs. Banks will additionally provide 10 trillion UZS, and the Mortgage Refinancing Company will provide 2.3 trillion UZS.

This will allow 70 thousand apartments to be sold on mortgages, of which 30 thousand will be intended for low-income families; at the same time, they will be paid a subsidy for the initial payment from the state budget.

At the meeting, the regional hokims reported on the progress of the construction of the New Uzbekistan housing estates, and the implementation of mortgage and renovation projects.

UzA