Lithuania has renovated just 15.9% of its apartment blocks

Only 15.9% of Lithuania’s apartment buildings have been renovated, despite repeated promises by successive governments to speed up the process, LRT reported.

Birštonas municipality leads the country, with 64% of its apartment buildings renovated. The share is 7% in Vilnius city and 3% in Vilnius district; 8% in Kaunas city and 13.5% in Kaunas district; and 17% in Klaipėda city and 5.8% in Klaipėda district.

A previous government led by conservatives and liberals aimed to renovate 1,000 apartment buildings a year, but the number completed was about 300 annually. The current government, led by Mindaugas Sinkevičius, has not set an annual target in its programme, but says it intends to accelerate renovations.

The Environment Ministry plans to open a new call for renovation applications in November, with funding for 640 projects.

Former environment minister Simonas Gentvilas said Lithuania offers residents more support for renovating privately owned property than other EU countries. People receiving heating compensation can have renovation costs fully covered, he said. Others can receive compensation of 40% for upgrading their property, as well as support for an investment project, a technical project, an expert assessment and technical supervision. The state also covers 30% of construction costs, he said.

Every government has identified apartment renovation as a priority, but the process has remained slow. The government programme says it will promote the renovation of apartment buildings, detached houses and public buildings, including renewable energy and energy-saving measures, and provide residents with practical advice during the process.