Unavailability of housing growth in comparison with the Soviet Union is exaggerated

Experts of the Higher School of Economics (HSE), headed by the president of the "Urban Institute" Hope Kosareva presented at the International Conference on HSE report, which analyzes the changes in consumption and expenditure in relation to housing Russia from 1989 to 2009. Conclusions HSE rather unusual: the experts confirm the deterioration of the ratio of house prices (in comparison with the late Soviet Union) with incomes at 80%, but the proportion of households with the opportunity to purchase standard housing at the expense of equity and debt, increased from 10 to 19% (even in view of the crisis years 2008-2010). On the contrary, the availability of rental in Moscow, according to calculations HSE has declined, but the rise of utility bills due mainly to the growth of availability of living space, which certainly increased. "During the period of availability of the total area of ​​housing has increased significantly - by 40% in the whole of Russia, including 44% in urban areas. As a result, Russia's lag behind on this indicator from the developed countries has decreased: in 1989 the total area of ​​provision of housing was 26 % of supply in the U.S. (16.1 and 61.3 square meters. m per person, respectively), and in 2009 - already 32% (22.5 and 69.7 square meters. m per person, respectively) - the report says. - A rose is not only the average figure, but the median total area of ​​housing provision. The last was a little over 15 square meters. m in 1989 and about 20 square meters. m in 2009, it has increased by about 30%. " Notes and an increase in average size of newly constructed residential premises - from 57.7 square meters. M in 1989 to 85.3 square meters. m in 2009. The influence of social stratification on the structure of housing provision is also based on the data report, in Russia are usually exaggerated (see figure) - so, the availability of living space 10% of the richest and poorest groups only differ in the two-fold. Experts also calculations for the Moscow show that the availability of rental growth in the city accompanied by a substantial (twice), the deterioration of her condition. With the burden of payment for housing growth mainly increased because of the growth of availability of housing. According to the calculations HSE, "estimate of the costs for housing and utilities for a comparable dwelling unit shows that the burden of housing and utility payments increased in this period only 13%." However, for "a considerable part of the population, the main source of income is wages and pensions' share of the cost of utilities for a comparable apartment rose by half.