Afghanistan plans 500,000 homes under national housing scheme
Officials say installment-based housing plan will address widespread shortages as deportees, retirees plead for shelter
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — The Taliban-led Afghan government has unveiled a ten-year plan to construct 500,000 residential units across the country through a state-managed housing fund.
The houses, to be offered on an installment basis, aim to ease the country’s acute housing crisis.
According to officials of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, 95 percent of the plan has been finalized, with efforts underway to involve the private sector in establishing new residential townships.
In a statement aired by independent media outlet TOLOnews, Anas, the head of the Housing Fund, said that more than 75 percent of Afghans currently lack access to standard housing.
“The Ministry is committed to gradually providing standard housing through short, medium, and long-term installment plans under the initiative,” he said.
The housing shortage has become particularly dire for vulnerable groups including retirees and persons with disabilities.
Many have called on the Taliban administration to provide land to reduce homelessness.
“We request that the government build homes for us,” said Gulbuddin, who was recently deported by Pakistan.
Mahmoud, a retired civil servant, said, “If we had betrayed our country, we would have homes by now. I owe fifty thousand afghani in rent.”
Officials said there are currently 700 residential townships in Afghanistan, of which only 350 have been officially registered.
The ministry has launched efforts to bring the remaining townships into the formal system.
Kamal Afghan, a ministry spokesperson, told TOLOnews that 35 new townships have already been constructed across 25 provinces, and existing ones are being redesigned to meet evolving urban needs.
He also noted that land distribution to returnees has begun.
The initiative has received backing from the Chamber of Industries and Mines, which considers investment in the housing sector essential for economic recovery.
“There is ample land across Afghanistan that should be allocated to expand housing,” said Sakhi Ahmad Payman, the chamber’s first deputy.
“With a rising population and the return of migrants, we need to avoid future housing shortages.”
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