Residents of Petropavlovsk are dwelling in an unsalvageable dwelling, afflicted with mold and cracks.
In the heart of Petropark, a city in Kazakhstan, the residents of a building at 6 Ural Street face an uncertain future. The housing and utilities department confirmed that the building was declared dilapidated in 2021, four years after an expert assessment declared it not only dilapidated but also dangerous to its residents' health and lives.
Lyudmila Logvinenko, a resident of Petropark, has already moved in with her son due to the building's condition. She fears being trapped under the rubble. "The walls are crumbling, and mold is everywhere," she says. "It's not a place fit for human habitation."
The current concept for housing and communal infrastructure in Petropark requires resettlement to be possible only through renovation if an investor is involved. However, the queue for new housing in the city is barely moving, and the previous 'Nurlu Zher' program was abolished in 2022.
The housing and utilities department has confirmed that there are six families living in dilapidated houses in Petropark, with 175 people waiting for resettlement from such houses. The residents of the house at 6 Ural Street are also on the waiting list in the Kezekte.kz system under the category of citizens whose only housing is dilapidated.
The delay in relocating these residents could be due to several reasons. Bureaucratic hurdles, funding issues, legal complications, insufficient alternative housing, political or management inefficiencies, and residents' resistance or lack of information are possible factors.
Berdymukhan Baiymukan, press secretary of the housing and utilities department of Petropark, made these statements. He did not mention if the new concept for housing and communal infrastructure was in effect when the earlier facts were reported.
The dilapidated building at 6 Ural Street in the Berek microdistrict was built in the 1950s. Its structural elements could collapse at any moment, according to experts. The city's housing and utilities department confirmed this earlier.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to address the needs of these vulnerable residents and ensure their safety. The authorities and the community must work together to accelerate the relocation process and provide the necessary support to those affected.
- In the realm of workplace-wellness, it's essential to address the physical and mental health concerns of employees living in such conditions, as the chronic diseases, respiratory conditions, and potential exposure to mold in the dilapidated building could significantly impact their overall health and wellness.
- To alleviate the financial burdens on residents during this transition, personal-finance seminars could be implemented to provide advice on budgeting, savings, and accessing available financial aid while they await resettlement.
- Moreover, addressing the residents' skin-care needs due to prolonged exposure to mold and potential environmental factors becomes crucial in this situation, considering the impact of the environment on skin health.
- On a larger scale, the nutrition of these residents might be at risk as well, given the uncertainty and potential stress they are facing. Supplying healthy meals or offering nutritional guidance could be beneficial to maintain their well-being during this challenging time.
- To support the emotional well-being of the affected residents, mental-health resources and counseling services might be necessary, as the fear and anxiety caused by the condition of their dwelling could have lasting effects on their psychological health.
- Lastly, the housing and utilities department should consider partnering with fitness-and-exercise clubs or gyms to offer free or subsidized memberships for the displaced residents, allowing them to maintain a healthy lifestyle while their new housing is being prepared.
