20,000 homes available at the price of a studio in Ferentari

The sale of ANL homes (housing paid for the state and aimed at young people) to tenants, one of the biggest real estate businesses of the last few years, has been kicked off yesterday by the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism, Elena Udrea, who paved the way for the acquisition of two-room apartments at prices of up to 26,950 euros. The average price of homes put up for sale is around 25,000 euros, which can presently buy two studios built 30-40 years ago in Bucharest's poorer districts such as Ferentari and Rahova.

Names of beneficiaries of ANL homes thrown around over time have included Gheorghe Stefan, mayor of Piatra-Neamt, and Cristian Andreica, son of secretary of state Ioan Andreica (PD-L), who could now benefit from the "biggest home purchase" since the early '90s.

The ANL project, which started ten years ago, caused many scandals from the outset, because the authorities offered land for free in good areas, but the lists of tenants featured people close to the ruling parties.