Białystok distributed keys to municipal apartments. Internet users ask why they are not single mothers
An unusual housing program has been launched in Białystok: graduates of local universities will receive keys to municipal apartments, where they can stay as long as they work in the city. There is also a second condition: in their diploma they must have an average from the entire studies not lower than 4.5.
Don’t let the term “municipal apartment” fool anyone. Participants of the “Apartment for a Graduate” program received keys to completely new apartments in a modern building. Ultimately, 120 people are to receive apartments – all who met the program criteria. The premises were built on a new street, nomen omen, Absolwentów. The Municipal Property Management Board, thanks to the help of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), built a total of 186 apartments there, of which 120 were included in the program. The construction of these premises cost PLN 57 million, PLN 40.5 million of which was co-financed by BGK.
Białystok. Apartments for graduates
A few days ago, the first 35 graduates received the keys. The lease is extended every year for 10 years, and the condition is employment under an employment contract in the city. After 10 years, such an agreement will be concluded for an indefinite period.
The “Apartment for a graduate” program is implemented pursuant to the resolution of the City Council of September 2023 on changes to the rules for renting premises included in the housing stock of the Białystok commune. The Mayor of Białystok, Tadeusz Truskolaski, emphasized that this program, innovative in Poland, is intended to serve young people who want to connect their lives with Białystok. These are both graduates of universities in Białystok, but also universities from other regions, e.g. Jagiellonian University or the Military University of Technology.
– Together we want to build the academic character of our city – declares Dr. Hab. Tadeusz Truskolaski, prof. UwB, Mayor of Białystok. – This is the beginning of our common path and together with the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship we also declare to include amounts in the budget for the “Study in Podlaskie” or Academic Białystok programs, because we must focus on young people.
Łukasz Prokorym, Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, confirmed that, like the City of Białystok, it plans to allocate one million zlotys to a joint campaign promoting the academic character of Białystok and the entire Podlaskie Voivodeship.
Controversy: support graduates or single mothers?
The program can be used by people under 35 years of age who do not have their own apartment in Białystok, cooperative right to the premises, an apartment in TBS, cannot rent an apartment from the Białystok commune, and work in the city (they have an employment contract).
There were many unfavorable comments under articles about granting apartments to graduates. Readers wondered whether corruption and nepotism would occur when issuing keys, and whether it was right for the city to provide the housing needs of young people who are talented and hard-working enough to be able to earn money to rent or buy on their own. There were voices reminding that the waiting time for the allocation of a municipal apartment is several years (and this is not specific to Białystok – it is the same throughout Poland), and graduates received apartments without waiting in line.
