Venezuela launches large-scale housing program.

CARACAS, May 8 (Itar-Tass) - President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who
allocates several hours each week to televised communications with the
people in the format of the 'Hello, President' show, canceled his
traditional appearance on television this week.
He explained for his decision by saying it was much more important to
do full-scale television coverage of the ceremony, in which a national
program for construction of 2 million apartments over a period of seven
years was to be launched.
The program is named 'The Great Housing Mission'.
Saturday, thousands of Venezuelan who do not have decent housing came
enthusiastically to specially arranged offices - more than 200 across the
country all in all - to file applications for participation in the
sweeping housing project.
The applications will be received from anyone wishing to improve their
housing conditions through to September.
Within the next two years alone, the authorities will allocate almost
$14 billion for the 'Great Housing Mission'.
Considering the scale of the task the Venezuelan government is faced
with, it has invited companies from several countries - Russia, Belarus,
China, Brazil, and Turkey - to throw their shoulder into the project.