Rent deregulation to be slowed in areas until 2012

The Ministry for Regional Development has announced plans to reconfigure rent deregulation to wrap up not by 2010, as originally intended, but by 2012. The re-pacing means planned rises will not be as sharp as previously expected. Exempt are the towns of Ustí nad Labem, Ostrava, and some towns in central Bohemia. The ministry is currently preparing a subsidies programme for individuals and families who could face financial problems over deregulation. As well, the ministry has said it aims to put together a plan to support the construction of more affordable housing. The Minister for Regional Affairs, Jiří Čunek, has said that the Czechs will also negotiate the housing issue with Brussels.