Bratislava mayor spearheads drive to build new communal apartments

With prices of flats growing beyond the ability of Slovakia's middle class to buy them, there's increasing demand for rental apartments. Bratislava's mayor Matuš Vallo admits the city has fallen behind on the creation of new municipally owned apartments. "At the moment we have 593 people interested in a flat," he said. "As a rule, they have to wait six to seven years to be assigned one." The mayor has pledged to begin new projects and to reconstruct buildings the city owns in order to increase the size of its portfolio. An architectural competition is being held for a new building on Terchosvka street that would offer 81 units and more competitions are being planned. Rent in city-owned flats are €200 per month and less, far deal cheaper than those on offer through the private sector. Applicants should have a registered permanent in the city to qualify and their salary should not exceed three times the minimum salary. Young couples with children are given priority along with senior citizens and the physically handicapped.