The problem of dormitories remains valid for the whole country. The Cabinet of Ministers thinks that the issue of privatization of the dormitories can be solved by their transfer to the balance of the local authorities. On 26 September last year the Law was approved to extend by 2015 the citizens’ opportunities to privatise their apartments in dormitories if they have lived there for a long time on a legal basis. But while all these issues are being discussed at the national level, the residents of the dormitories clearly understand that the fact of approval of their property rights is only the start of the way to go, and they are the only ones to practically solve the urgent problems of their housing.
A house down Yermolenko street, 17 in Voznesensk is a typical former dormitory for the employees of JSC “Zelenyy Gay”. For many years the house had been maintained by the plant, but after transferring it to the communal property it was formally assigned to the local housing and communal services providing agency – ZHEK. At their own cost, the residents in consultation with relevant agencies have improved the planning scheme of the building, creating the individual apartments from the rooms, halls and other parts of the building. They have independently established the individual heating system, connected their building to the municipal water supply and sewerage network. Unfortunately, the network itself needed immediate replacement because the building was commissioned in 1978, and the capital repair of the water supply and sewerage system has neven been carried out ever since.
In 2010 we created the association of co-owners of multiapartment house “Gurt-Zelenyi Gay” in order to ensure the effective management of our housing. It is much easier to solve the urgent problems together. Since repair of the sewerage and water supply networks was defined a top priority by the general meeting of the dwellers, the Board of the association was mandated to seek the assistance of the City Council and find the sources of additional funding. The residents unanimously stated that they would contribute their own funds to further address the problem, says Inna Zhabchyk, chairman of the board of the association.
Due to implementation of the project on repair of the water supply and sewerage systems in 2011, the living conditions of 109 residetns have improved. No more need of constant repair of the old networks, allocation of funds for emergency plumbing service calls. Now the savings are accumulated in the account of the homeowners’ association for regulatory services and technical check of the installed equipment.
In spring, the residents plan to dry out the basement, put it in order, remove the remnants of dirt and disinfect the basement. Residents have become more responsible towards their common property, because they have invested a lot of efforts and money to make it happen. They have already started equipping storage rooms in the basement without fearing that they wouldn’t be used because of the leaking water supply or sewerage networks. The risk of diseases provoked by the constant moisture and mold on the walls has reduced significantly. In general, this event raised confidence of the dwellers that their small local problems may be solved due to their initiative and persistence.
Now we plan to set up the evergy-saving lighting in the building and construct the playground for our children. We have already collected money for the repair of our entrances. Everyone is waiting for the warm days to put together our plans on improvement of the housing conditions, says Sergei Petcherytsya, administrator of the association of co-owners.
The total project budget is 29’899 UAH (about 3.7 thou. USD), out of which 26% was contributed by the community, 52% is the contribution of Voznesensk city council, and the rest – 22% – is provided by UNDP under the financial support of the Swiss Confederation.
Another small but convincing story of the dormitory in Kagarlyk of Kyiv region where association of co-owners of multiapartment house was created can be found here.
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