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Tengrinews.kz - The Ministry of Industry and Construction has refuted social media claims suggesting that recent changes to Kazakhstan’s housing legislation will strip orphans of their priority right to receive housing.
Will orphans lose priority access to housing?
The concern was raised by Alexandra Ismailova, head of a foundation advocating for the rights of orphans in the East Kazakhstan Region. In her social media posts, she claimed that new housing rules would deprive orphans of their preferential status in receiving apartments.
What the ministry says
The ministry has firmly denied these claims, stating that the updated legislation does not abolish or reduce the rights of orphans. On the contrary, the changes are meant to preserve and even expand their access to housing.
“The category of ‘orphans and children left without parental care’ still retains priority in receiving housing from the state housing fund. This is enshrined in the law and is not being revoked under the new rules. The claim that they could be ‘left on the street’ due to the updated regulations does not reflect reality,” the ministry said in a statement.
Officials also emphasized that, since December 4, 2024, changes to the law now allow all eligible groups, including orphans, to privatize the rental housing they occupy.
Three privatization options are available:
- Free of charge – for certain groups, including orphans, provided the conditions outlined in Article 13 of the law “On Housing Relations” are met;
- At residual value – calculated based on the property's physical depreciation;
- In installments – with a 10% down payment and the balance payable over up to 15 years.
“Privatization is not mandatory. If an orphan or other eligible individual cannot afford to buy the housing, they may continue living in it under a lease agreement with the local government. No one can evict them or take away the property on that basis,” the ministry clarified.
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