Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) announced its 2027 social support programs at a meeting held in Saraçhane. IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan stated that 28 billion 511 million 669 thousand 354 lira has been allocated for family support programs, and that with the previously announced 8.7 billion lira education package, the total direct support will reach approximately 37.2 billion lira.
Aslan noted that the support is delivered to citizens in need as a result of social assessments conducted in line with Ministry criteria. Stating that the average cost of living for a family of four in Istanbul has reached 135 thousand 596 lira, Aslan expressed that the municipality will increase social support in the face of rising living costs.
New support measures for retirees stood out within the package. Accordingly, it is aimed to provide 24 thousand lira in annual rent support to 100 thousand retirees in need who live in rented homes in 2027. A resource of 2 billion 400 million lira has been allocated for this item. Additionally, a total of 8 thousand lira in annual holiday bonuses will be provided to 100 thousand retirees, consisting of 4 thousand lira for Ramadan Feast and 4 thousand lira for Eid al-Adha.
SUPPORT FOR RETIREES, MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS, AND FAMILIES
In the IMM's 2027 program, market support for retirees is also being expanded. Aslan announced that a total of 1 billion lira in market support will be provided to 100 thousand retirees, with 10 thousand lira per person. Regarding support for minimum wage earners, it is planned to provide 5 thousand lira in market support to 100 thousand people, and to offer 15 thousand lira in annual transportation support to 10 thousand employees. A resource of 150 million lira has been allocated for transportation support.
Support for newlywed couples will also be increased. IMM aims to provide a total of 400 million lira in marriage support to 10 thousand couples in 2027. Within the scope of nutritional support, which is stated to be implemented for the first time for expectant mothers, it is planned to allocate a total of 250 million lira, with 5 thousand lira per person for 50 thousand people.
Newborn support was also among the important topics of the program. It is aimed to deliver the Newborn Support Package to 50 thousand families in 2027 and to use a resource of 500 million lira for this. A support of 2 billion 310 million lira was also projected for 2027 for the Mother Card, which covers the right to free public transportation for mothers with children aged 0-4.
While it is aimed to deliver regular milk to 100 thousand children every month next year within the scope of the People's Milk program, 1 billion 14 million lira has been allocated for this service. It was also announced that 5 thousand lira in support per household will be provided to 20 thousand families with disabled children, and that the number of Short Break centers will be increased to 10, reaching more than 12 thousand people.
SOCIAL SUPPORT ISTANBULKART AND CITY RESTAURANTS
It was reported that the monthly support amount for the Social Support Istanbulkart will be increased to 2 thousand 500 lira as of January 1st. IMM will allocate a resource of 6 billion lira for this item for 200 thousand households in 2027. For one-time cash support, it is aimed to reach 200 thousand citizens and use a resource of 500 million lira.
The 2027 target for City Restaurants was announced as 5 million meals. While 850 million lira has been allocated for this service, it was stated that 4 new City Restaurants will be opened by the end of the year. Within the scope of People's Bread support, it is planned to provide 3 loaves of bread daily to 30 thousand households every month.
Stating that the scope of rent support for households in the urban transformation process has been expanded, Aslan noted that high-risk buildings, as well as very high-risk buildings, have been included in the support scope. A resource of 1.8 billion lira will be allocated for rent support for 25 thousand households in 2027.
“This resource is the nation's own money! We are only delivering the nation's right to the nation without letting a single penny go to waste.”
Aslan summarized IMM's social support approach with the words “to be by the citizen's side in every period of life.” Stating that the support covers different groups from expectant mothers to children, students to retirees, employees to individuals with special needs, Aslan reiterated the message that “IMM is always by your side.”
News Source: 12punto
