Valruzia

[Aethan]

Valruzian government approves historic housing plans

Communists and Sovereignists signs a new deal to revolutionize the Valruzian housing market

January 5648

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The government of Szymon Nowik has approved the National Housing and Territorial Cohesion Plan, a housing reform that will redefine housing access more as a "civic right" and less as a speculative token. The law, announced by the ministry of Housing led by the communist party member Janina Cislo, combines economic protectionist measures, meritocracy and cultural assimilation, with the measures being already hailed by the coalition government as "the biggest housing revolution since the fall of the dictatorship."

The plan’s core principle is prioritizing rooted citizens over so-called "vulture funds" and oligarchs, with foreigners who spend fewer than 183 days per year in Valruzia BANNED from buying more than one property and foreign investment funds LIMITED to owning 25% of units in any building (currently, they control 42% in cities like Hel). At the same time, a National Property Registry will be created, which will be mandatory for owners of 10 or more homes, and shell companies will be investigated. "We will not become a colony for millionaires while our youth is forced to emigrate" declared Nowik before the Sejm.

The second part of the plan includes the foundation of a Public Housing Bank, which would give 1% loans and preferential mortgages for those "who serve the nation", including employed citizens under 35 with stable jobs and 3 or more years of contributions, veterans of the Army and families with three or more children, or two children in public schools. One of the main requirements for this is to be in posession of at least 5 years of legal residency, as Housing minister declared by saying that "Housing is for those who build Valruzia, not capitalist nomads."

The third part of the plan includes a wide range of measures, such as public land granted to citizens who commit to living there for more thsn 20 years and participating in neighborhood assemblies, fines of 200% of property tax for homes left vacant over a year, rent freeze in districts where prices exceed 20% of the median local wage, 40% tax on profits from property sold within 3 years of purchase or expropriation with compensation of units left empty by vulture funds for 5+ years.

As usual, the government has made sure not to leave the big rural populations of Gryfit and Chynberg out, announcing the plan "Save a village, get a home" ("Uratuj wioskę, zdobądź dom"). This plan will grant free ownership of abandoned homes in towns under 2,000 people for entrepreneurs who launch local businesses (bakeries, workshops) or immigrants with job contracts and B2-level Valruzian proficiency, for example. 

The most controversial part of the plan might be the "no ghetto clausule", which will tackle certain communities in Valruzian cities. This part would make sure that no neighborhood may have over 15% of residents from a single foreign background (except families), and that immigrants only qualify for social housing after 2 years of "civic service" (firefighting, healthcare for example).

Now the bill has to go to the Sejm next month to be voted. It is expected to pass, as Sovereign Valruzia and the Communist Party hold way more than half of the legislature seats. Opposition parties such as the Forward Valruzia alliance have accused the Nowik government of "fully adopting communism", stating that now

"there is no real difference between Sovereign Valruzia and the KPW, now they have both shown their real face and their wishes to turn Valruzia into a full-communist dictatorship"

. However, parts of Agrarian Voice seem more favorable to the new plan. For its part, the far-right Valruzian Alliance has announced that will report it to the Supreme Court of Valruzia, and the party will call for rallies and demonstrations to be held against this "illegitimate and communist government". 

However, Chancellor Nowik believes the measures are "proportionate" and that will tackle most of the citizens' main concerns, calling the opposition "dramatics" and saying that even their voters will benefit from the measures.

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Other news:

• Sejm passes Constitutional Law on same-sex marriage and abortion; both issues are now definitely codified in Valruzian supreme law!