The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, met with representatives from the Builders' Association and the real estate sector as part of efforts to reform housing policies and expand affordable housing schemes.

As part of this reform, Ibrahimaj announced that, starting next year, a new mixed-use construction model will be introduced, wherein 30% of housing units will be designated for social housing, 40% for affordable housing for the middle class, and 30% for the free market. This model aims to create a mix of housing categories, avoiding the concentration of a single social group in the same buildings and neighborhoods.

Minister Ibrahimaj stated that the shift in housing policy addresses the need to respond to market trends and rising prices, particularly in the country's major cities. According to her, the new policy aims to extend beyond vulnerable groups to include other segments of the population that struggle to afford housing costs. “This shift stems both from market needs and rising prices - particularly in the country's major cities and their central areas - as well as from models observed elsewhere, where housing policies address not only vulnerable groups but also other segments of the population that may require support,” stated Ibrahimaj.

The Minister noted that over the past year, the Ministry has analyzed European housing programs and, drawing on models implemented in various countries, has drafted reform proposals covering both new housing products and the institutional framework of the National Housing Agency (AZHT) that will support their implementation.

Prior to finalizing the legal framework, the Ministry has initiated consultations with market stakeholders to assess the actual housing supply that could be included in the new affordable housing schemes. “Before finalizing the legal instrument we have been developing, we wanted to discuss it with you to analyze the availability of the housing products we aim to create,” the Minister said.

In this context, one of the new products envisages support for apartment purchases via bank loans, featuring subsidized interest rates. For apartments valued up to Euro 60,000, the beneficiary will receive a 0% interest loan, whereas for apartments valued above Euro 60,000, the beneficiary will cover interest up to 3%, with the portion of the rate exceeding this level being subsidized by the state.

Regarding the offer for apartments priced up to Euro 60,000, the minister announced that preliminary consultations with the Builders' Association have confirmed the availability of small-sized apartments at affordable prices in the outskirts of Tirana.