New housing supply up; apartment credit bill will stimulate demand

According to the Office for Housing and Urban Development (UMRM), the number of new flats will be greater this year than last. The current surplus of supply over demand will level after the apartment credit bill comes into effect. According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS) data, 87,800 apartments were completed in 2000, 13% more than in 1999. This year 43.6% more apartments were completed than last year. Housing investment last year was worth zl.19.2 billion, 20% more than in 1999. In new buildings, 30% of apartments remain empty for lack of buyers with the means to purchase them. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2; Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 8) P.W.