Rildanor

[Elena1012]

Housing reform in Meriath; "The right to dignity starts with a house."

-------------------------
June 3rd, 5665
-------------------------
Housing often remains a crisis in most developed nations. In Meriath, while it certainly isn't considered the pinnacle of developed nations, it does face a similar challenge. Bombed out houses. That usually isn't ideal for living in. Hence, one of the key reforms promises by the PPS was housing reforms and expanding public housing drastically. While most housing has been rebuilt, it's been in a limbo of whether it's private or public. To that end, the debate ends as the Vaganay Government is looking to make major investments into housing reform.

For starters, all across the country, a full freeze on evictions and rent. No family in Meriath should ever risk losing their home because the greedy want a quick buck in these trying times. Alongside this, the creation of the Autorité du Logement Social (Social Housing Authority) which will be responsible for managing all public housing and work with private housing to ensure adequate maintenance and repairs. Furthermore, the ALS will begin working with public and private construction companies on building up more public housing across the country to curb poverty and encourage more livable housing. 

For existing housing, the government asks the question of this. Is it ethical and moral to own several houses when millions beg for a warm place to stay for the night? To that end, heavy taxes will be placed upon owners of empty homes and abandoned buildings will be purchased by the state, and renovated for public usage. As the saying goes, preventing is better than curing. Meriath holds much potential for tourism. But that also means housing can be bought by foreigners for usage in rare times. This is simply cruel, and unethical for Meriath. As such, a ban will be placed on foreign ownership of housing in the country. To further ensure housing remains apart of the community, community land trusts will be issued across the country.

As new housing is constructed, regulations will demand that any and all housing must align with transportation networks to ensure public transportation is actually useful. As for the homeless, they can immediately register with the ALS for housing, where rent will be subsidized depending on income (no matter what, 25% of the rent will be directly subsidized no matter the income) with higher incomes still receiving generous subsidies, but not as generous as compared to those with lower incomes. The goal isn't to resort to means tested solutions, but to ensure that aid is given where it needed and creating an ethical country. As President Vaganay has said, "The right to dignity starts with a house", and it is something the government is looking to live by, looking to ensure every citizen of Free Rildanor (Meriath) is housed and cared for.