Croatia to pay half of housing loan installments for young people, still difficult to get a roof over one's head in BiH

A public debate on the proposed law on subsidizing housing loans has concluded in Croatia. HRT reported that, after parliamentary procedure, the state will pay half of the monthly loan installments for those under 45 for the first four years, based on a previously tested model. The call for applications is expected at the beginning of summer.

The state will pay half of the monthly installment for the first 4 years, and for persons with disabilities for 5 years. The period is extended by two years for each newborn child. Applicants must not own property, and they can use this program to buy a new or old, larger apartment, or a house.

Those who apply first will have priority, and the fund of 35 million kuna (around 9.1 million KM) planned by the Government for 2017 will be spent this way. It is estimated that around 2,000 citizens will take advantage of the Croatian Government's subsidy.

It is still difficult for young people in BiH to get a roof over their heads. Interest rates for housing loans are the highest in the entire region.

In the Canton of Sarajevo, young people are offered the purchase of apartments under more favorable conditions, but even these programs are far from European standards. Applicants are required to pay 30 percent of the apartment price immediately, and the remainder in 60 to 80 equal installments, without interest. However, even this is too much for many. In addition, there are not enough "favorable" apartments in Sarajevo, writes Patria.