Prague has made a U-turn regarding its housing strategy. The city has spent the last few years offloading municipal flats. However, it now wants to build new residential projects, with the first one set to go up in Prague 9-Černý Most. Construction is expected to start next year on 180 flats, which will be offered to handicapped people or to people in certain professions, like medical doctors or fire department personnel. Some of the flats will be rented at commercial market prices. Costs are estimated to be in the vicinity of CZK 500m, which the city will tap from the Fund for Development of Affordable Housing. Prague now has CZK 3bn in the fund. The deputy mayor for planning, Petra Kolínská, told Hospodářské noviny that additional projects will be prepared in the next two to three years. Kolínská says the city is in the process of analyzing 12 potential locations and preparing a housing strategy.
