Summary of the EIT (Erzsébetváros Senior Citizens’ Council) meeting on March 18, 2025
The EIT held an off-site meeting at the Király utca Day Club for Older People.
Mayor Péter Niedermüller
– Our operating conditions have worsened; the local government aims to preserve the results achieved so far
– Three areas have been given priority in the budget
o healthcare
o maintaining social care
× this is complemented by the introduction of housing support
o developing the cultural sector
– On healthcare:
o the aim is that district residents should not feel the difficulties in healthcare experienced nationwide
§ GP services will remain, and may even expand as some practices are filled again
§ on-call care has returned to Dob utca 86
§ the local government tries to help the Péterfy Sándor utca hospital and has undertaken to tidy up and green its surroundings
– Social support:
o only those truly in need, older people and large families should receive support
o housing problems are given special attention
o the local government apartment renovation program continues
– Expanding cultural opportunities
o K11 continues its work under the new name Kult7
o The new head is Dorka Gálvölgyi
Gyula Halmai, CEO of EVIN
– the local government currently owns about 2,200 apartments, but many of them are in poor condition
– in the past 5 years, 291 vacant, uninhabitable apartments have been renovated
– there are 26 local government buildings, and their renovation continues; a new building will also be built in this term, increasing the number of apartments
– a new housing decree has been adopted; apartments can still be obtained through calls for applications
– rents had to be raised after many years, but those in need receive help to pay them
– the temporary home for families has been renovated
– accessible apartments continue to be provided for people with disabilities
– in this term they would like to help young people get housing (by creating smaller apartments)
Gabriella Gyuris, head of the Human Services Office
– in 2024, the local government spent HUF 227 million on social support
o a survey showed that support is mainly requested by apartment owners rather than tenants of local government apartments
– a new form, rent support, will be introduced from May, subject to an income limit
– rent support for tenants of privately owned apartments (registered, income-dependent)
– one-off care support
o this helps those who still need care during recovery after being discharged from hospital following an illness; the local government provides them with one hundred thousand forints
Dorka Gátvölgyi, head of Kult7
– in addition to the existing venues, she would like to expand the options for cultural events with new venues
– District VII residents can attend events at a discount
– cooperation with pensioners’ clubs continues, and she would like to expand it further
Comments and answers
1.
– In Rejtő Jenő utca, car traffic creates many accident hazards; they ask for through traffic to be banned
– There is no dermatology at the outpatient clinic; they ask for it to be provided at least once a month
2.
– Moving from a larger apartment to a smaller one involves not only emotional but also physical problems. Could the local government help with sorting out belongings and organizing the move?
Péter Niedermüller
– the local government cannot act on its own to restrict traffic, but it is trying to reduce speeds in various ways
– providing specialists is a government, state task. He suggests raising the problem with the member of parliament
– he asks the EVIN CEO present to look into ways of helping
3.
– At Kis Diófa utca 12, the interior door and window renovation has still not been carried out
Gyula Halmai
– renovation in the street continues
– the problem in building no. 12 will be fixed soon
4.
– on Madách tér and Madách utca, hospitality venues take up all the space. At least a “right of way” should be ensured for pedestrians.
– are there plans to install a camera on Madách tér to monitor and filter out traffic anomalies?
Péter Niedermüller
– the road here will be completely renovated and redesigned; the plan, the contractor and the money are all in place; this will solve most of the problems
– regarding noise caused by hospitality venues, the aim is to force them to comply with the rules
5.
– it would be good to advertise gatherings like this one more widely so that as many people as possible can attend
6.
– Szenes Hanna park is a refreshing spot, always clean and tidy – thank you very much
Péter Niedermüller
– This will continue to be so; the new head of Kult7 also plans to use it as a venue for cultural events
7.
– Mrs. Tivadar Tokár reported on the gala held for the 30th anniversary of the Erzsébetváros Health Protection Association and thanked those who attended
– she announced that a survey on stroke and its prevention is being conducted among residents over 50 in the district; they would like to carry it out in the four clubs for older people as well
8.
– at the corner of Wesselényi utca and Kéthly Anna tér, the dead shrubs should be replaced with new ones
– there is a doctor’s office at Kéthly Anna tér; there should be a pedestrian crossing towards the pharmacy, as without one the risk of accidents is high
– the speaker described a family’s problem with housing renovation support
Péter Niedermüller
– creating a pedestrian crossing is not within the local government’s competence; requesting one involves a great deal of administration and only succeeds if the location is a priority (the Kéthly Anna tér area is not)
– they will look into the family’s support application
Sándor Orsós
– there will be a joint gardening program, as part of which new plants can be planted at the location mentioned
A report on the EIT meeting has been published on the local government’s website:
https://www.erzsebetvaros.hu/articles/erosoedik-a-raszorultsagi-elv-a-szocialis-szferaban
We ask all participants to pass on the information heard at the forum and read here!
Budapest, March 24, 2025
József Gergely