Belarus overhauls Soviet-era Khrushchyovka apartments in historic renovation drive
Belarus has launched a major plan to renovate its aging Khrushchyovka apartment blocks. These Soviet-era buildings, many now over 60 years old, will be upgraded under a long-term housing strategy. The government first outlined the scheme in 2019, with Minsk as the starting point for the overhaul.
The renovation programme was formally introduced in the Concept of State Housing Policy until 2030, adopted in 2024. It aims to modernise nearly 10 million square metres of housing across the country. Minsk alone has 1,864 panel buildings—totaling 7 million square metres—among the 2,568 Khrushchyovkas nationwide.
The focus is on increasing housing density without sacrificing comfort. Residents affected by the works will receive either financial compensation or equivalent replacement housing. Funding will come from local budgets and private investors.
The next phase of the project is set out in the State Housing Construction Programme for 2026–2030. This plan prioritises the renovation of outdated housing stock, ensuring better living standards for thousands of residents.
The renovation effort will transform decades-old apartment blocks while addressing housing shortages. Residents will have options for relocation or compensation as the upgrades proceed. The initiative marks the largest state-backed modernisation of Belarus’s housing infrastructure in recent history.
