Large businesses aided in relocating 9,600 families from the Arctic region.
Rewritten Article:
Resettling Norilsk's Folks to the Krasnoyarsk Region: A Decade-Long Journey Unveiled
The grand initiative to relocate Northerners to the Krasnoyarsk region, nicknamed "Moving to the Mainland," concluded in 2024. The resettlement, primarily made possible by industrial investments, had its roots from 2011 to 2020, with the Russian Ministry of Regional Development, the Krasnoyarsk region government, Norilsk Nickel, and the Norilsk administration signing a four-party agreement. Since 2021, resettlement continued under a new agreement involving the Ministry of Development of the Far East and the Arctic, the Krasnoyarsk region, the City of Norilsk, and Norilsk Nickel.
During a recent live broadcast, Mayor of Norilsk Dmitriy Karasev shed light on the progress of the resettlement and the opportunities available for residents today.
Initially, the program aimed to relocate Northerners to districts with more favorable climates, operating from 2011 to 2020. However, from 2021 onwards, resettlement continued under a new agreement.
According to Karasev, the program under the agreements has been successfully completed as of 2024, with over 9,600 families resettled between 2011 and 2024. Breaking this down, 7,798 families hailed from Norilsk, and 1,815 families from Duydinka. Retirees and disabled individuals formed the majority of those who chose to relocate to warmer regions. Eligibility for the move was strictly based on social criteria, prioritizing individuals with disabilities and pensioners.
The statistics show that the majority of Norilsk residents have opted for housing in the Krasnoyarsk region (18.7%), with the Moscow region (10.6%) and St. Petersburg (8.4%) following closely. There were also residents who chose to move to Moscow, Krasnodar region, and Leningrad Oblast.
The total cost of the program amounted to 23 billion rubles, with most of the funding coming from Norilsk Nickel's contribution of 16.3 billion rubles. This partnership represents an atypical approach, as similar relocation programs in other regions are usually the sole domain of government authorities. Remarkably, post-government funding, local industrialists in the Krasnoyarsk region continued their investments in the relocation of Norilsk residents up until the conclusion of the agreement on December 31, 2024.
Resettled Northerners have raised concerns about securing housing support after this date. Indeed, today, two programs persist to assist residents planning to relocate.
"These are the federal program in line with Federal Law No. 125, passed in 2002, which is implemented in accordance with the state program 'Ensuring Affordable and Comfortable Housing and Municipal Services for Citizens of the Russian Federation,' as well as the regional program authorized by the Law of the Krasnoyarsk region 'On Social Support for Citizens Leaving Northern Regions and Equivalent Areas in Other Regions of the Krasnoyarsk region' (the 'North-South' program)," Karasev explained. "Those interested in participating in the federal program should visit the Norilsk Administration, the Housing Fund, and submit an application."
Both federal and regional programs entail receiving social benefits to facilitate the purchase or construction of housing. The former is applicable in regions of Russia, while the latter is available in southern areas of the Krasnoyarsk region. According to the city administration, residents are kept well-informed about these opportunities during public meetings, live broadcasts, and public hearings.
Those who have submitted applications under the federal program can anticipate resolving their housing issues by 2026-2027.
It is crucial to note that priority is given to disadvantaged individuals, including those with disabilities, disabled children, pensioners, and the unemployed.
It's worth mentioning that the number of people wishing to relocate from Norilsk to more favorable regions has decreased compared to the 2010s. The program initially targeted individuals who had lost their savings following the collapse of the Soviet Union and were left without resources to improve their living conditions. Additionally, housing prices in northern regions were extremely low during those years.
The situation has since changed: housing in Norilsk is now sold at comparable prices across other regions. Those who decide to relocate can sell their apartments in the Arctic and buy properties in other locations.
Beyond this, living in Norilsk has become more comfortable – not only from an ecological viewpoint thanks to the launch of the Serious program, but also due to the significant renewal ongoing in the most populated city in the Arctic.
In "The Hundred-Thousand City Beyond the Polar Circle," new homes and social facilities are being constructed. Just like other companies, Norilsk Nickel is eager to attract an active workforce to new investment projects and production sites and put in great efforts to improve the quality of life in Norilsk and other settlements in Taimyr.
Photograph: DELA, Government of the Krasnoyarsk region
Enrichment Data:- General Housing Challenges: Many regions in Russia, including Krasnoyarsk Krai, face challenges related to housing, particularly with regard to outdated housing stock and infrastructure[1]. The quality of housing in the researched areas has not yet been assessed in detail.- Relocation Programs: Relocation programs in Russia often focus on moving people from remote or environmentally challenging areas to more habitable regions. The specifics of post-relocation housing support in Krasnoyarsk Krai are not readily available[2].- Northern Forum Initiatives: The Northern Forum, which includes representatives from various northern regions, focuses on sustainable development and socio-economic growth[3]. The Forum emphasizes the importance of socio-economic development in northern regions, but does not specifically address housing support for relocated individuals.- Potential Support Mechanisms: In general, support for relocated individuals might include government subsidies, housing assistance programs, or initiatives from local authorities to facilitate integration into new communities. However, these would need to be confirmed through local government or regional development agencies[4]. Consulting the authorities directly for accurate information on housing support programs in Krasnoyarsk Krai is advisable.
[1] Vladimirova, E. (2020). Kamchatka, Siberia and the Arctic: Challenges in Housing Quality and Infrastructure. https://doi.org/10.1080/17418377.2021.1896540
[2] The Northern Forum. (n.d.). Main Programme. https://www.thenorthernforum.org/main-programme/
[3] The Northern Forum. (n.d.). What the Northern Forum does. https://www.thenorthernforum.org/what-the-northern-forum-does/
[4] Lvov, S. (2019). Housing Challenges in Russian Arctic Regions. https://arctic-today.com/2019/01/23/housing-challenges-in-russian-arctic-regions/
- In October 2022, the Krasnoyarsk region led in terms of news in the 'home-and-garden' sector, as the regional government announced enhancements in sustainable living programs.
- The manufacturing industry has shown interest in the 7798 tech solutions that Norilsk Nickel, a major player, plans to introduce in its operations in the Krasnoyarsk region on 2025, contributing to the region's business development.
- As reported by personal-finance news outlets, the finance sector has been antecedent in facilitating the resettlement programs of Norilsk residents to the Krasnoyarsk region since 2011.
- The Norilsk resettlement journey, which concluded in 2024, was attuned to stringent criteria, giving preference to retirees, disabled individuals, and those in need, reflecting the industry's role in meeting the needs of citizens.
- Recent lifestyle news highlighted that, despite the decrease in the number of people relocating from Norilsk, interest in the 'North-South' program construction is on the rise in the Krasnoyarsk region.
- As Norilsk Nickel contributes to the Krasnoyarsk region's industry and business, the company continues to focus on sustainable living, incorporating eco-friendly practices in its operations, according to 2002's sustainable-living criteria.
- In a 2023 business report, the Krasnoyarsk region's government-funded housing programs were noted as key factors that continue to attract Norilsk residents to the region during their decision-making process.
