The ministry said the state would provide unused state-owned real estate properties to municipalities free of charge, such as closed post offices, former savings cooperative branch offices, as well as apartments, residential buildings, and buildings that can be made suitable for residential purposes.
The real estate items can contribute to the implementation of developments tailored to local needs in small settlements in difficult situations either by being used directly or by being sold.
Legislation on the matter will soon be submitted to Parliament.
The ministry said there is a greater social interest in providing free properties, around 800 of which have been selected, to address local problems than in keeping these properties in state ownership.