Belarus overhauls Soviet-era Khrushchyovkas in decade-long housing push
Belarus has launched a major programme to renovate its aging Khrushchyovka housing stock. The initiative, outlined in the 2024 Concept of State Housing Policy until 2030, targets nearly 2,600 buildings across the country. Many of these structures, built between the 1950s and 1970s, have long exceeded their intended lifespan.
The government’s plan focuses on modernising or replacing outdated residential blocks. Authorities will decide whether to demolish or upgrade each building once the legal framework is complete. The goal is to boost housing density while keeping living conditions comfortable and improving technical efficiency.
Financing will come from local budgets and private investors. Property owners affected by demolition will receive either financial compensation or equivalent housing in terms of size. Minsk alone has 890 panel apartment buildings, totalling around 3 million square metres of floor space. Nationwide, Belarus counts 2,568 Khrushchyovkas, with 1,864 of them being panel structures. The Development of Housing Construction programme, managed by the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services, will oversee the work. No single official has been named as the project’s lead coordinator. The upcoming State Housing Construction Programme for 2026–2030 will prioritise these renovations, marking a shift from earlier policies that focused mainly on new construction.
The renovation push aims to address decades of wear in Belarus’s housing market. With funding secured and legal steps underway, the programme will reshape urban living spaces over the next decade. The focus remains on balancing modern standards with practical solutions for residents.
