"If the draft law that was submitted to the State Duma yesterday is approved, which I am certain of, we will develop a mechanism to reimburse the regions for the expenses they have incurred. The reimbursement funds will be received out of proceeds from placing the Housing and Utilities Fund's resources on bank deposits," Mr Kozak said.   

He also said the proceeds from temporary placement of the Fund's uncommitted resources amounted to 9.3 billion roubles. Mr Kozak said that reimbursement would be provided to the regions that will use the funds most efficiently.

"We have to do it as fairly as possible to encourage the regions that work most efficiently in the difficult situation we are currently facing," Mr Kozak said.

He also said that the day before the Penza Region, the Chelyabinsk Region, and the Republic of Bashkortostan became the first regions to receive the Fund's financial assistance for the acquisition of nearly completed housing.