Lüganuse Municipality has significantly benefited from a state program supporting local governments in Ida-Viru County. Among other things, this initiative has helped municipalities reach agreements with the last remaining residents of emptying apartment buildings to vacate the premises.

In Kiviõli, the administrative center of Lüganuse Municipality, the process has advanced to the point where the last two problematic apartment buildings will soon be demolished.

"The first buildings we demolished here last year and the year before still had some residents. All the financial support provided for relocation and ordering various audits would have been very difficult for the municipality to cover from its own budget," explained Kristel Kütt, head of Lüganuse Municipality's economic and environmental services.

For rescue teams in Ida-Viru County, the demolition of abandoned buildings has also led to a decrease in incidents related to derelict structures.

"Ten years ago, we had 75 fires per year in abandoned buildings. Last year, that number had dropped to 26 — a two-thirds reduction. A great example is Kiviõli in Lüganuse Municipality, where the local government has been working for years to remove these buildings and make the area safer," said Tarmo Anton, head of the Ida-Viru County rescue service.

With €160,000 in state funding, Lüganuse Municipality will soon demolish a total of four buildings: two in Kiviõli, one in Püssi and one in Erra.

Over the years, improvements in the urban landscape have made the real estate market more attractive.

"We have demolished about 20 Khrushchevka-type buildings. This has helped clean up the real estate market and our apartments have gained value. We are seeing more active sales and a slight increase in prices," Kütt noted.

The next decision regarding state support for demolishing buildings in four municipalities across Ida-Viru County, amounting to €2 million, is expected in March.

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