The deputy criticized the prices of apartments from SMC: “They are almost the same as market prices”

At a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh on December 24, MP Gulya Kozhokulova criticized the pricing policy of the State Mortgage Company. She stated that the cost of housing sold by the SMCC had practically equaled market prices and was no longer affordable for citizens.

According to the deputy, despite the fact that the SMC receives land plots and a number of other preferences free of charge, apartment prices continue to rise and are now not significantly different from those offered by private developers. In this regard, she stressed the need to shift priorities from the quantitative to the social impact of housing policy.

“We need to move away from the race for square meters and move towards a policy of affordability,” said Gulia Kozhokulova.

Separately, the deputy pointed out the importance of developing housing construction in the regions, noting that the excessive concentration of projects in cities exacerbates price pressure and infrastructure load.

In response, SMC representatives stated that the company still offers the lowest prices on the market, claiming that the cost per square meter in their projects is about half the market price. According to the company, in a number of areas, SMC housing is sold at a price of about $1,000 per square meter, while market offers reach $2,000.

SMC also reported that the company's portfolio currently includes more than 80,000 apartments with a total area of about 5 million square meters, with about 70% of construction taking place in the regions. At the same time, the company noted that the construction of engineering and social infrastructure is not part of its remit.

Despite these arguments, the deputy insists that without a review of pricing policy and a stronger social focus for the program, public housing risks losing its status as affordable.