Albania revokes home loan privilege for state officials

The Albanian government on Wednesday abrogated a previous decision of the Council of Ministers that gives privileged treatment to state officials on housing loans, according to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA). This abolition will prevent Albanian senior state officials from being treated in a privileged way in getting credit for houses. Instead, more housing loans will be transferred to ordinary citizens who are in desperate need of shelter. A recent audit by the Albanian Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism revealed the program of giving loans under preferential terms to political functionaries was abused by the powerful, but failed to address the concerns of low-income people and those in need of shelter. The audit report showed the officials were given home loans without meeting any criteria. Some were entitled to two home loans simultaneously, and others were given credit when they already possessed one or two residences. Related materials have been brought to the prosecution office for further investigation, the report said.