Deputy Mahma Khalil confirmed today, Saturday, that Iraq needs 5 million housing units, while he presented proposals to solve the housing crisis.
Khalil said in a press statement that he shared with "Video News Agency," that "the initiative to distribute a million plots of land, despite its importance, is not enough on its own to solve the accumulated crisis, as it should be accompanied by a government program that includes land grants along with housing loans and the provision of infrastructure."
He added that "the housing crisis is one of the problems that have been accumulating for decades, and solving it requires comprehensive government programs. Investment in the housing sector would stimulate the economy and provide extensive job opportunities for artisans, engineers, professionals, and laborers."
He called for a shift towards vertical construction and the establishment of housing complexes instead of horizontal expansion, noting that this option could help provide housing units and reduce encroachment on agricultural land and green spaces.
He explained that vertical construction should be part of a long-term strategic plan that takes into account population growth and the cities' need for housing units and infrastructure in the coming years.
Khalil emphasized the necessity of coordination between the executive and legislative authorities to implement this direction, indicating that the government could present a comprehensive project to the House of Representatives, accompanied by financial support through housing funds and loans.
He urged the Prime Minister to expand the initiative to distribute a million plots of land, along with providing housing loans and the necessary liquidity, stressing the importance of making these loans interest-free to assist citizens in building their homes.
Official estimates indicate that there are between 3 to over 9 million people living in informal areas, while the Ministry of Planning confirms the existence of about 104,000 completely informal housing units that accommodate between 500,000 to 600,000 people, revealing a housing gap that exceeds traditional figures and presents the state with a complex developmental challenge.