YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, NOYAN TAPAN. By the 2009 draft state budget, 30 bln drams will be allocated to the urban development sector, with most of the allocations (83%) being spent on major repairs and construction of educational facilities. The minister of urban development Vardan Vardanian told reporters that the funding of major repairs and construction of educational facilities will grow by about 50% as compared with 2008, thanks to which 286 educational facilities will undergo repairs or major repairs in 2009. The minister said that about 7 thousand families made homeless by the earthquake will be provided with apartments by 2013. In parallel with that, the program on apartment purchase certificates will continue, under which 2.6 bln drams was allocated and nearly 500 families in 4 marzes improved their housing condutions in 2008. Out of the 2009 state budget-envisaged 4 bln drams for restoration of the earthquake zone, 1.7 bln drams will be allocated for apartment construction, while the remaining sum - to the program on apartment purchase certificates, under which 570-600 families will improve their housing conditions in 2009.

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