This has been stressed by the participants of the practical seminar which has taken place today in Merefa with participation of representatives of local self-governance of Kharkiv region.

During the meeting a special attention has been paid to practice, problems and progress in forming housing cooperatives in Merefa which are based on several houses.

In particular, Viktoriia Kolinko, Head of the housing cooperative “Merefa-Central” told a story how this housing cooperative had been formed in 2013. In her belief, people should be organized, they should be proved that they take responsibility for their property. Nowadays 50 houses are under her supervision and it is the biggest housing cooperative in Ukraine. The cooperative has already been involved in implementation of municipal social projects.

Besides, 9197 private premises in Merefa are under the guidance of 9 newly created district self-governance establishments.

Tetiana Diadchenko, secretary of Merefa Town Council, says, “It was a great impulsion to join people. We have received a feedback from the housing cooperative, as people realize the necessity in urban land improvement, for example, repair of bridges, wells. The residents altogether repair these objects and on our part we provide them with the materials.”

Liudmyla Nemykina, Head of the Standing Commission on Budget, stressed that support and assistance of forming housing cooperatives is one of the priorities in Kharkiv region at all levels.

“The Housing Cooperative Program has the support both at the country and regional levels, including in the direction of creating an energy efficiency fund. Over the years of existence of the regional program “Warm credits” 80 housing cooperatives received the financial assistance at the amount of around 4.5 mln hryvnias, and every year it’s getting more of those who wish to join.

Besides, the housing cooperatives support the trend of energy efficiency and energy conservation at the regional contest of mini-projects devoted to the development of territorial communities “Together into the future”. This year 62 mini-projects have obtained the financial help. Thus, all authority levels must support implementation of the Housing Cooperative Program, so that people’s life becomes more comfortable, as it is the best way of housing administration, indeed only the residents actually know what is required to them,” Liudmyla Nemykina believes.