Bartoš believes that the government will ultimately approve the housing support law

Prague - The government will ultimately approve the housing support law, if only because of the threat of losing ten billion crowns from the National Recovery Plan (NPO). Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates) announced this today at the annual NPO conference in Prague. According to him, the legislation, which the cabinet paused discussing on Wednesday, will not only help people at risk of housing insecurity but also enable part of the currently unused apartments to enter the market and improve the effectiveness of housing allowances. In response to a question from ČTK, Bartoš added that further negotiations will take place next week. If the proposed changes are well justified and not motivated solely by political reasons, he is prepared to accept a compromise.

The government paused the discussion of the law on Wednesday due to ongoing disputes. Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela (STAN) stated that it will be necessary to further negotiate the content of the legislation with local governments. Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (ODS) disagreed with the planned creation of approximately 200 new bureaucratic positions. Bartoš criticized the pause in the discussion of the legislation.

"We have discussed the law many times, including with expert parties from the coalition. I presented it at meetings, including with the Civic Democrats, for whom we also developed a special document clarifying the individual tools and economic benefits. Since we have not received further feedback, we proceeded with the standard legislative process. From the Ministry of Transport, represented in the government by Martin Kupka, we did not receive any significant objections during the inter-ministerial review," Bartoš stated.

During the comment procedure, the ministry responded to proposals from some local governments. However, according to Bartoš, one concern that has not been resolved is the anxiety of the Association of Towns and Municipalities and several regions over whether they will receive adequate funding for the new activities they will undertake under the law. Local governments also seek assurances that the state will not limit support for social work in municipalities, where social workers already have low salaries.

Today at the conference, the minister expressed confidence that the government will soon approve the law and that its discussion in the Chamber of Deputies can begin before the summer holidays. "This is a milestone in the National Recovery Plan; if we do not approve it, we will pay a fine of ten billion crowns. I think this is a good motivation to do something," he said. According to him, the law’s effectiveness from July 2025 is not currently threatened.

He also rejected criticism regarding the creation of new bureaucratic positions, stating that it is a good investment because the law will stop the increase in the number of people receiving housing benefits, thereby stopping the growth of state expenditures.

Bartoš is also convinced that the law will allow apartments that are currently unused to enter the market. "In the Czech Republic, there are about 800,000 apartments where no one lives. If there were a guarantee for property management, a significant number of people would be willing to entrust the apartment to the municipality or a company," he said. According to the law, private landlords could offer their properties to vulnerable groups of residents. For the reimbursement of damages or rent, the provider of this type of housing would subsequently guarantee the owner. At the same time, property owners should have the opportunity to utilize the services of providers who would ensure the prevention of payment issues or potential conflict resolution with neighbors.

According to Bartoš, such use of private apartments could also ensure more effective utilization of housing benefits. He stated that apartments designated for vulnerable groups of residents will have to meet certain standards, so it will not occur that the state would pay disproportionately high housing benefits for unsatisfactory apartments.

The proposed housing support law is part of the so-called Housing for Life reform promoted by the Ministry for Regional Development, aimed, among other things, at ensuring necessary investments for the construction and reconstruction of affordable rental apartments. The law is expected to create systematic support for individuals at risk of housing insecurity. It involves the establishment of contact and advisory points that would help people in need find and maintain housing. At the same time, the law should ensure guarantees and compensation for private landlords if they designate part of their housing for vulnerable groups of people.