The Moscow authorities currently do not plan to involve developers in the housing renovation.

The implementation of the housing renovation program in Moscow does not plan to attract investors and developers in the initial stage, said Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Mayor of the capital for urban planning and construction, to Interfax on May 11.

"At this stage of preparing the program, the participation of private developers is not envisaged. The start of the renovation program will be funded by the Moscow budget," the Deputy Mayor emphasized.

Earlier, there was information in the media about a consortium of five companies that joined forces to participate in the demolition of Moscow's five-story buildings and construction of new housing. According to Republic, it includes Oleg Deripaska's "GlavMosStroy", the real estate agency "Kalinka-Realty", the architectural design institute "MOSPROEKT", and the company "MosEkspert". As Alexei Shepel, the Head of S.Holding, told the publication, they "agreed to participate together in the competitions that the Moscow authorities will hold within the renovation program."

According to Kalinka Group, the consortium has indeed been established."A consortium of companies has combined the experience and expertise of leading players in the real estate market in order to offer the city and its citizens a modern solution to the problem of deteriorating housing stock," explained Ekaterina Rumyantseva, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kalinka Group. Kalinka Group, however, is not involved and will not be involved in the demolition of five-story buildings, the company's statement emphasizes: "We will only offer our practical expertise and consulting services regarding the land plots that will result from the implementation of the renovation program conducted by the Moscow government... We also believe it is important for the management and agencies responsible for implementing this program to approach this delicate process wisely. Treating the established micro-districts with care, respecting and attentively addressing the needs of their residents, can be factors that inspire citizens' confidence in the changes being made and serve as a model for the redevelopment of dilapidated housing stock throughout the country." Recall that the expansion of the program to demolish five-story buildings was first announced at a meeting between the Mayor of Moscow and President Vladimir Putin on February 21. At the end of April, the State Duma passed a bill on the renovation of the housing stock in Moscow in the first reading. The document grants the Moscow government the right to demolish five-story buildings and construct high-rise housing in their place. Evicted residents of Khrushchev-era buildings can expect "equivalent comfortable" housing in the same or neighboring area. The preliminary list includes approximately 4,500 buildings throughout Moscow, despite the initial estimate by the city government of 8,000 buildings to be demolished. 40 districts within the MKAD (Moscow Ring Road) were excluded from the renovation program.