Keys to social apartments in building No. 36 on M. Gorky Street were handed over at the Vitebsk City Executive Committee

As many of those invited to the key handover shared before the event, they received the news with delight. After all, some lived in rented apartments, some with relatives, or in dormitories. They dreamed of their own place, especially families with children. And now these dreams have come true.

The Chairman of the city executive committee, Viktor Nikolaikin, welcomed the new residents and noted that the city executive committee allocates at least 100 apartments annually for those on the waiting list who are eligible for social housing. In May, when a 120-apartment building constructed with investments from the People's Republic of China was occupied, it significantly advanced the waiting list, but there are still 236 people on it. Therefore, a decision was made to continue in this direction: out of 66 apartments in the building, which is an architectural monument and has undergone major repairs, 47 have been allocated to large families, orphans, and families with children with disabilities.

The building is pre-war, but it cannot be demolished; everything has been redone and rebuilt, except for some walls – everything is new.

— I see your happy faces, some even have tears in their eyes. This is understandable, as one doesn't receive keys to an apartment every day, where one can build a home with their family. And I am happy that I can bring joy to people, — said Viktor Nikolaikin.

The head of the city expressed his satisfaction: the building is located in a neighborhood commonly referred to as "5th Kommunalny," which has no issues with schools or kindergartens. Nearby, there is public transport, shops, a Sports Palace... In short, the infrastructure is well-established.

 

The Chairman of the city executive committee appealed to the administration of the Pervomaisky district with a proposal to help people settle into their new homes: to enroll children in kindergartens and schools, and if necessary, to facilitate home-based education for children, doing so with genuine care.

Viktor Pavlovich introduced the heads of the client and contractor.

performing the capital repair of the building, — the head of the Vitebsk city housing and communal services department, **Vitaly Ivanov**, and the head of SMP-715, **Ivan Ivaneichik**, in case any issues arise during the move-in, although the commission accepted the building into operation with almost no remarks.

After handing over the keys, Viktor Nikolaikin said:

— I wish you all health, happiness in your new apartments, good luck! May the sun shine into your windows, as they say!

On behalf of the new residents, **Kristina Golub** took the floor:

— We express our immense human gratitude to you. We are incredibly happy. Thank you to the city administration for your work, for what you do to make people live well!

After the event, the new residents shared their emotions.

— We were eagerly awaiting the housewarming — until today, we were cramped in a one-room apartment at my brother's, — said **Lyudmila Prolygina**, a mother of three. — We looked at the new apartment — we are very pleased, we have already decided where the children's room will be. We also liked the area — the city center is close, and most importantly — there is a nursery and a secondary school nearby.

The housewarming was also long-awaited for the young **Simonenkov family**, who have already enrolled their daughter in secondary school No. 17.

— The waiting is over, now come the pleasant chores associated with moving into a new apartment, — said the father of the family, Dmitry, expressing gratitude to the authorities for such a significant demonstration of care for the city's residents.

Nina Tulinova. Photo by Oleg Klimovich. "Vitebsky Courier".