Russian Homestead Act

The Russian Homestead Act is a 2016 proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to give 1 hectare, or 2.5 acres of free land in the Russian Far East to Russian citizens and foreign nationals as long as they live there for five years.^[1][2][3][4]

The program is mostly aimed at Ukrainian Citizens, and originally came about as a possible method of resettling about 500,000 refugees.^[5] More Ukrainian citizens are expected to come to Siberia than any other nationality - and are the only nationality expected to take up the offer to settle down in the Far East seriously. According to some observers, more Ukrainians and Belorussians will settle in Siberia than Russians themselves. While a small number of those opposed to the plan claimed that "the Chinese and Uzbeks will invade Siberia in hordes", very few if any at all, are expected to settle in the Far East, because China is more economically developed and most central Asians are unlikely to stay in Russia for more than a few years.^{[6] [7]}

However, the plan only allows Russian Citizens to own the land. Foreigners can join the program, but cannot own the land until 5 years after they have immigrated to Russia- in order to dissuade drug traffickers from abusing the program. Consolidated group (of 20 lots minimum) will also be provided with basic infrastructure. ^[8]

References