Minister of the Interior Igor Taro has signed a decree opening the possibility for housing associations to apply for state support to adapt shelters. The total amount of the support measure is nearly €2 million, spread over two years.
The support is intended for apartment buildings with at least three apartments, with a net enclosed area of at least 1200 m² and where at least 80% of the apartment properties are owned by private persons.
The measure can help to adapt existing spaces - such as basements - to meet shelter requirements. Support can be used to reinforce rooms, reinforce doors and windows, install ventilation and electrical solutions, improve access and create emergency exits and install toilets, among other things. The maximum amount of the grant is €35 000 per housing association.
„In Estonia, 67.9% people live in apartments (including terraced and semi-detached houses) - around 930 000 inhabitants. This is why crisis preparedness is very often decided in apartment buildings: whether there is a place in the building where people can quickly and safely take shelter if necessary,“ said Rait Pihelgas, deputy director of the Union of Towns and Municipalities. He called on municipalities to actively disseminate information both through their own channels and directly to housing associations, and to encourage them to map the premises and familiarise themselves with the conditions already today.
Applications will be accepted by the State Support Services Centre in cooperation with the Rescue Board. The application round will be opened after the necessary preparations have been made and the start date will be announced separately. In the meantime, cooperatives can start their preparations and familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions of the grant. In the Official Journal .