In 2012, the government will introduce housing support, and new starting loans through the Norwegian State Housing Bank. The Government is prioritising social housing policy," says Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Liv Signe Navarsete.
The strategic work of the Norwegian State Housing Bank with local authorities with great social housing problems will be continued in 2012.
Housing support is targeted so as to help those who are most vulnerable in the housing market. It is estimated that in 2012, 128,000 people will receive housing support of around NOK 25,000 each during the course of the year.
The starting loan will be one of the instruments for helping young and disadvantaged people to establish themselves in their own homes. Demand for starting loans from the local authorities has been higher in the years since the financial crisis than previously. The Government proposes a loan ceiling of NOK 15 billion in the Norwegian State Housing Bank for 2012. Within this ceiling, starting loans will have the highest priority. The Norwegian State Housing Bank also provides basic loans for building and improving homes and loans to day nurseries.
The Government also proposes to phase out the special tax deduction for illness expenses. The funds thus released will be used to strengthen current schemes and subsidies for adapting homes will therefore be increased by NOK 23 million in 2012. This will make it possible for more people to remain in their own houses rather than moving into institutions.
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