Housing Conditions and Construction in Kyrgyzstan
Decision-making in the housing sector remains fragmented. Housing-related issues are divided among various government bodies at both national and local levels. Since gaining independence, the housing system has undergone a process of decentralization, starting with the transfer of ownership rights to the existing housing stock, housing-related services, and financial responsibility for housing to the local population.
Despite decentralization, addressing housing issues, apart from housing privatization and urgent local needs, has not yet become part of the statutory obligations of local authorities. The responsibility for formulating housing policy remains with national bodies. At the national level, this is the State Agency for Architecture and Construction, which is responsible for the National Housing Construction Program in Kyrgyzstan.
A number of laws and housing programs have been adopted to promote the market in the housing sector, but these legal and political initiatives remain uncoordinated and focus only on specific issues, including housing privatization and targeted mortgage provision. The systematization of housing regulations into a new Housing Code is also underway. New fundamental rules for joint ownership, decentralized decision-making, and the integration of commercial spaces into residential buildings will be introduced. However, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive and coherent national housing strategy to overcome the fragmented nature of existing housing initiatives. Furthermore, housing strategies should also be developed at the regional and local levels.
Since 2000, a more strategic approach to housing has been developed through the adoption of long-term housing programs, but mechanisms to ensure their implementation are still lacking.
By 2010, it was planned to raise the level of construction to that of the late Soviet era and expand the total residential area. However, none of these goals were achieved. The National Housing Construction Program in Kyrgyzstan for 2008–2010 aimed to improve the living and socio-economic conditions for citizens. The main housing needs include: housing maintenance; increasing housing construction through industrial modernization and the development of domestic building materials; providing affordable mortgage financing; and ensuring earthquake-resistant housing.
Kyrgyzstan estimates the required level of new housing construction at 20,000 to 30,000 residential units per year. Despite this, it will take 15 years to recover to the same level of housing provision that was achieved before independence in 1991.
Today, there are quite a few new residential complexes in the city of Bishkek, but finished apartments are not accessible to the majority of the population due to high costs. However, construction companies offer the opportunity to purchase housing in installments or at a reduced price during the construction phase. A complete database of construction projects can be found on the website https://new.flatfy.kg/новостройки-бишкека.
The main existing housing stock in the Kyrgyz Republic was built during the Soviet era. Apartment buildings make up a large share of the total housing stock. Unfortunately, only 40% of households have access to piped water (70% in urban areas), and 40% of houses are connected to the public sewage system (70% in cities). Only 27% of households have toilets in the house (56% in cities) and 25% of households have bathrooms/showers (52% in urban areas). Generally, technical systems in apartment buildings need repairs. Some repair work has been carried out, but almost nothing has been done to address current issues. Urgent repairs are particularly needed for roofs, elevators, and facades.
International donors have been involved in reconstruction through some initiatives, such as microcrediting.
Housing maintenance has been identified as a key priority in the National Program, but further practical support is needed.
