'Half From Us' campaign in 15 questions: Who will benefit?

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum shared the answers to 15 frequently asked questions regarding the details of the "Half From Us" campaign, which is part of the urban transformation practices to be carried out in Istanbul.

Kurum noted that those who wish to benefit from the campaign will no longer need to apply via e-Government, and that in the newly produced project, parking and shelter areas will be kept outside the construction area square footage.

Here are the 15 frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the campaign:

1- Is an e-Government application required to benefit from the 'Half From Us' campaign?

In the new period, there is no need for an e-Government application.

2- Who can benefit from the campaign?

All owners of risky structures in Istanbul can apply for the campaign.

3- How can I find out if my home or workplace is risky?

The risk status of the structure can be determined by having core samples taken by licensed organizations affiliated with the Ministry.

4- After determining that it is a risky structure, where should one first apply to transform the home or workplace?

Project design and building permit procedures are completed with a contract that the rights holders will sign with a contractor they determine by mutual decision. Then, after the floor easement (determination of the shares of the shareholders) procedures they will establish, an application is made to the district municipalities for the "Half From Us" support.

5- What are the project prerequisites for 'Half From Us'?

The structure in the new project (excluding parking and shelter) must not exceed one and a half times the size of the old structure. This campaign can be utilized with license projects prepared after April 1, 2023.

6- When and with whom will the rights holders sign the contract?

For risky structures whose rights holder identification has been completed by the district municipality, a grant commitment and loan agreement will be signed with the Ministry on the appointment date to be created by the Ministry.

7- How much grant and loan will be paid for each residence or workplace?

For one residence of the rights holder, 700 thousand liras in grants and 700 thousand liras in loans will be given, and for each other residence, 1 million 400 thousand liras in loans will be given. For one shop of the rights holder, 350 thousand liras in grants and 350 thousand liras in loans will be provided, and for each other shop, 700 thousand liras in loan support will be provided.

8- Will the Ministry make the 'Half From Us' payment to the rights holder or the contractor?

Payments will be made to the contractor on behalf of the rights holders.

9- When and how will the payment be made?

The first payment will be made at a rate of 30 percent when the work begins. Then, by examining the progress of the construction, a 30 percent payment will be made upon the completion of the load-bearing system, and a 30 percent payment will be made when the structure is brought to a ready state up to the plastering stage. In the final stage, a 10 percent payment will be made when the occupancy permit is obtained.

10- When and under what conditions will loan repayments be made?

Loan repayments begin 2 years after the building permit is obtained. A maturity of up to 10 years is applied. No interest is applied in the year the payment begins. In subsequent years, an update is made by half the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate.

11- How much is the evacuation support?

Evacuation support is paid as 100 thousand liras in a single installment.

12- Can tenants also benefit from the evacuation support?

Evacuation, or moving support, is paid to the tenant if the tenant is living in the apartment/workplace, and to the landlord if not.

13- Will there be a loss of rights when I build a parking lot and shelter?

In the newly produced project, parking and shelter areas will be kept outside the construction area square footage. Thus, the property owner will not suffer a loss of rights.

14- Is there an income requirement for the loan?

Income and credit scores are not checked when granting loans to rights holders.

15- Between which dates will applications be made?

Applications can be made to the campaign without a time limit.

INCREASE MADE IN THE FIRST PAYMENT RATE

There will no longer be a need for an e-Government application for the campaign.

When benefiting from the campaign support, the new structure to be built must not exceed one and a half times the size of the old structure. In the previous campaign period, those who added parking and shelters to their new projects could get stuck on the "one and a half times" rule and suffer a loss of rights. With the new regulation, parking and shelters were kept outside the project square footage.

On the other hand, an increase was also made to the first payment rate in the project. The first progress payment, which was previously made to the contractors of the rights holders at a rate of 10 percent, has now been set at 30 percent. 

News Source: 12punto