I started this thread to discuss the big issue of "low cost" housing in IRaq.

first post, is the blurb from the national investment commission.

http://www.investpromo.gov.iq/index.php?id=378
Dear Investors,

The National Investment Commission (the "NIC") is committed to bringing opportunities to the investor community that are essential to the Iraqi citizens, provide growth and development for the country and offer significant returns on investment. In line with these goals, we at the National Investment Commission are proud to be presenting this opportunity for investment in Iraq's housing sector.

This investment announcement to interested investors, parties, developers, financiers and construction companies is intended to begin a large-scale program addressing Iraq's significant housing and infrastructure shortages.

This announcement provides interested parties an overview of the proposed housing initiative and the preliminary requirements for project submission. If you have any questions on the memorandum below, or would like further information on the program, please communicate with us by email at iraqhousing@investpromo.gov.iq. The NIC will be conducting this process under Iraq's Investment Law (Law No. 13 of 2006). Timetables for this program are set under Timeframe below.

In response to this announcement, we require information regarding your company and your proposed approach on how to best address the housing and infrastructure needs, maintenance programs and overall development strategy. The same information will be gathered from all companies and will be used in the process of awarding of a development project hereunder. We look forward to hearing from those parties who want to be part of this historic effort.

Sincerely,
Dr. Sami Al-Araji
Chariman
National Investment Commission

Scope
The Iraqi National Investment Commission hereby announces the commencement of a housing program (the "Program") to develop approximately one million (1,000,000) housing units ("Housing Units") throughout Iraq. The NIC hereby seeks inquiries from investors and developers ("Developers") interested in participating in this program along with the terms explained below.

Overview of the Program
The NIC hereby announces the commencement of the housing program to develop approximately 1,000,000 housing units in total across Iraq's 15 Governorates and the Kurdistan Region. The number of housing units in each Governorate would be approximately those laid out in the table below entitled "Figure 1. Number of Housing Units in Each Governorate and the Kurdistan Region".

The basic aspects of the Program provide that the Iraqi National Investment Commission would grant a successful Developer of a project a plot of land and license - both on a conditional basis - to develop the requisite number of Housing Units allocated to a project, and potentially the required infrastructure as described further below.

The NIC will look favourably on Developers that seek to establish the developments using modern building technologies, which will allow them to complete the developments more efficiently in terms of cost and time. Upon completion of the development project, Investors/Developers would sell the housing units to individual purchasers, along the lines listed below under "Housing Purchase Program".

The NIC will oversee the implementation of the Housing Program throughout Iraq by coordinating its development through its various phases, including the granting of land to the Developers. The NIC will also coordinate the relationships between the Investors/Developers and appropriate Ministries, particularly the Ministry of Housing and Construction and provincial authorities to ensure a smooth development process, and to facilitate the activities of the Developers. The Trade Bank of Iraq ("TBI"), as lead financial arranger of the Program, will coordinate the financial packages related to the various developments throughout Iraq. With respect to the developments in Kurdistan, the NIC will coordinate this effort with the Kurdistan Investment Commission.

Housing Purchase Program
The Program will have the following features:

1. The Program will consist of a series of developments (each a "Development") across Iraq's 15 Governorates and Kurdistan Region. The aggregate number of Housing Units to be built on all the Developments will be approximately 1,000,000 housing units.

2. The Housing Units would likely be required to comply with certain basic criteria in considering size, layout, energy efficiency, construction material et.al. We believe that, in light of the housing shortages and the available plots of land in urban environments, the likely requirements in such areas would be that the units be in apartment buildings (depending on relevant municipal requirements and regional market demands) with each apartment having an area between 100 to 150 square meters (containing, at a minimum, three bedrooms, living room, bathroom, kitchen, and storage area). Accordingly, Investors/Developers should note the need for elevators in these apartment buildings when required.

With respect to locations in areas outside the major cities, we believe that the likely requirements in more rural areas would be for houses and smaller buildings, with the same size requirements for the apartments. The NIC would welcome creative design solutions that would amend these basic requirements with the goal of providing more optimal development arrangements.

3. We currently propose that the target sales price for each housing unit will not exceed fifty thousand US dollars ($50,000USD, given 100 square meter unit) or $500USD per square meter, taking account that the price for the unit in many governorates of Iraq will be less then the above mentioned price.

4. Currently, the program is set up whereby each purchaser of a unit will have an opportunity to finance a portion of the purchase. For example:
The purchaser will be required to make a down payment of 25% of purchase price upon signing a contract for a unit, which will be held in escrow with TBI (or approproved financial institution); with the remaining amount to be financed by a mortgage lender amortized over seven to ten years.
5. In connection with purchasing each property, each purchaser would be required to enter into a maintenance contract for the maintenance of the common areas of the Development (see "Maintenance Programs" below).

Infrastructure Costs
The Program will address the building of infrastructure in the following manner:

1. In each Development, further details will be provided regarding the existing infrastructure in the areas surrounding the subject Development location.

2. With respect to the infrastructure within the boundaries of the Development, each Investor/Developer will be required to build such infrastructure, the cost of which will be included in the sales price for the units on a pro-rata basis.

3. For purposes of each Development, it is anticipated that the infrastructure within the boundary will include among others: roads, water, sewage, electricity and telecommunications lines.

Mortgage Program
We understand that Investors/Developers will not want to become long-term mortgage lenders. Accordingly, the Program will include mortgage facilities, with TBI as lead financial arranger. The mortgage program will broadly include the following terms:

1. The mortgages to be offered to purchasers will be adjustable rate mortgages. NIC will also seek to make available in the mortgage program Sharia compliant housing finance.

2. TBI will establish appropriate credit criteria and monitoring systems with respect to the mortgagees. TBI, as administrative agent for the lending group, will obtain security in the form of a first priority lien on the title of each unit.

3. The Program intends to tap the significant liquidity available in the Iraqi banking sector. The Program also intends to tap other sources of liquidity both internal and external to Iraq.

4. The NIC and TBI will be coordinating their financing activities with multilateral financial agencies and institutions.

Maintenance Programs
The NIC understands that both purchasers and mortgage lenders would need to ensure that the value of the Housing Units would not deteriorate due to a lack of appropriate maintenance. The NIC envisages that, within each Development, all common areas and the outside of the units themselves would need to be well maintained. It is intended that specialized companies will be contracted to maintain these common areas. These companies would charge the owners of the housing units monthly management and maintenance charges.

Enticements for Investors/Developers and Certain Other Considerations
The Program will contain the following additional features:

1. In certain instances, the NIC will provide additional construction opportunities to the proposed Developments in order to supplement the Investors/Developers returns. Accordingly, the NIC would propose that particular Developments would contain certain commercial components, for which licenses would be conditional on agreeing to complete particular Housing Units. These commercial projects would include, but not limited to, Housing Units that do not have targeted sales prices, retail outlets (including shopping centers), hotels and office spaces. Input from Developers on the types of such associated commercial projects and on how their Development might be structured is welcome as part of Investors'/Developers' responses to this Announcement.

2. The NIC believes that each Development will contain requirements for the Developers to construct certain public services, such as schools, clinics and similar services.

3. In light of Iraq's housing shortage, the NIC will look favourably on Developers who intend to complete their proposed projects using modern building technologies, which would be anticipated to complete such Developments in a more timely and cost-efficient manner than the traditional building processes utilized in Iraq. Developers should note, however, that the NIC will review such modern technologies to ensure that quality would not be affected and that the materials and designs will be specific to regional requirements and market demands.

Response Process
The proposed program will be coordinated by the NIC under Iraq's Investment Law (Law No.13 of 2006). Accordingly, as this announcement has been delivered to interested parties, the NIC will establish additional procedures with respect to addressing specific Proposed Developments.

Contacts
For questions regarding this announcement, you are welcome to contact the NIC via email at iraqhousing@investpromo.gov.iq

so the main points are:

-target price of $50k per unit ($500/m2)
-25% deposit (15M dinar) - 75% mortgage with the trade bank of Iraq
-all roads sewages pipes etc included in headline price (but its not clear what they mean by "water and electricity" is it just the connecting pipes? or the actual generating units / RO machines?)

part of the construction is done by the horrendous "ministry of housing and construction" (that spends most of its time OBSTRUCTING construction, rather than building).

here's a recent project in kirkuk (they build the typical low cost 3 storey "indian" blocks, due to their primitive technologies and to avoid expensive lifts and complex sewage systems).



Accomplish 95% of Panjah Ali Housing Estates Project in Karkuk
http://www.moch.gov.iq/images/bnja%20ali.JPG


Ministry of Construction and Housing declared accomplish 95% of (Penjah Ali) housing estates in Karkuk.

A source in the ministry said that it was accomplished in a vertical way of building and it consists of 600 housing estates. It is consider as the first project of its kind that was executed by Al Mansour State Contracting Construction Company one of the Ministry of Construction and Housing formations in the province.

The source added that the work is continuing with a great effort by the project working staffs to accomplish it as soon as possible. It comes in the frame work of the ministry attempts to supply the suitable houses for all the citizens

here's another Kirkuk housing estate built by the ministry of construction and housing... this is the "sayadin"

http://www.moch.gov.iq/images/saeadea.JPG

also 3 floor low cost "indian" type.

on the ministry of construction and housing website there's a link to the "national housing policy" of iraq, supported by HABITAT (UN). This was published last month.

http://www.moch.gov.iq/habitat/0-45%20English%20File%20iraq%20national%20housing%20policy.pdf



some excrepts.

Since the 1970s, the implementation of the General Housing Plan in Iraq stopped because of
the wars and governmental negligence of the housing sector at the time, despite being a major
engine of the national economy. This sector has the potential to create many and various job
opportunities, and to provide a social commodity to satisfy the Iraqi citizens’ basic need to
suitable and decent housing.
The current formula of the National Housing Policy in Iraq is the result of the fruitful intellectual efforts and
consultative expertise of Iraqi specialists and international experts over two years. The National Housing Policy
document constitutes a starting point for the Ministry of Construction and Housing and other sectoral bodies
in activating the basic elements of reform (in land, finance, legislation, building materials, dilapidated areas and
informal settlements), through which we aim to revive and create integrated and sustainable housing activity.
We put this national work in the hands of the Iraqi Government and the decision-makers with a view to adopt and
apply this policy and start executing it according to the strategies specified. This includes institutional and legal
reforms, and pilot projects as an appropriate kernel that can be reviewed and corrected in order to develop a more
appropriate form for the Iraqi reality, with a view to providing decent housing to Iraqis.

Eng. Istabraq Al Shouk
Senior Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing
Chairman of the Iraq National Human Settlements Committee




and from UN Habitat
As Iraq’s estimated housing shortage reaches approximately 2 million housing units, the
Government of Iraq has concluded that centralized systems of housing delivery can no
longer address the country’s increasing housing deficit. Through this policy the Ministry of
Construction and Housing outlines how the Government of Iraq will establish an enabling
environment to support the engagement of other actors in radically scaling up housing
provision; in particular the private sector.
Iraq’s experience reflects the global reality of unprecedented challenges in the housing sector as urbanization
leaves half of humankind living in cities and towns. Responding to this demand, the Habitat Agenda recognizes
that the formulation and application of effective enabling shelter strategies as critical to the realization of the right
to housing and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.
As such, the UN-HABITAT Iraq Program is confident that this policy sets Iraq on course to begin to address
its demands in the sector. The policy is built on thorough analysis of key thematic areas surrounding the
housing sector; access to land, access to finance, housing production, building materials, infrastructure, housing
management and maintenance and informal settlements, and has been developed through multi-stakeholder
debates and working groups, supported by national and global experts over an 18 month period.
However, this is just a starting point. Implementing the policy will require well considered institutional, legislative
and technical actions. UN-HABITAT remains committed to supporting the Government of Iraq as it implements
this policy, and looks forward to seeing the progressive realization of adequate shelter for all the people of Iraq.







"introduction"
A vibrant, flexible, and efficient system for the production of quality housing is essential for the continued
growth of the Iraqi economy. A major part of the capital stock of the country, housing supply must be built up
in line with infrastructure, industry, and community facilities such as schools and hospitals. Housing production
is a highly productive economic activity, capable of generating direct employment, income multipliers
and employment linkages at least equivalent to those of other conventional “productive” sectors such as
agriculture, industry, and services. Housing is also a social good, responding to basic needs of the citizens of Iraq.
The welfare of Iraqi individuals, families, and communities depends on the steady growth and improvement of
the housing stock.
This Housing Policy sets the broad parameters for the development of the housing sector in Iraq. It
reflects the need to accelerate housing production to meet demand and enable economic growth. The Policy
considers the fundamental role that housing must play in sustaining a productive and mobile population. It
considers as well the importance of the housing sector in responding to the needs of all Iraqis, consistent with the
changing demographics of the country. It also considers the importance of public investment both for the growth
of the sector as a whole and for the provision of housing to vulnerable and low-income groups.
While taking into account the rich Iraqi tradition of sustainable housing design and the country’s
considerable experience in mass production of modern housing, this policy is forward-looking. The recent
war caused widespread damage to the national economy, bringing many sectors to a standstill. Some housing
institutions critical to management of the sector in the past few decades are now moribund. The housing deficit,
already large at the close of the twentieth century, is greater still today. The housing policy is designed to address
the specific challenges of the post-war environment in Iraq and will be reviewed and revised in the medium term
to adjust to the changing social and economic conditions in the country. For now, there is both an opportunity to
accrue the housing benefits offered by housing production and a pressing need to introduce new housing delivery
mechanisms that can respond better and faster to the housing needs of people across Iraq.
As the national economy recovers, housing demand will increase, and more and more investment in

housing will be undertaken. This investment will, in turn, spur further economic growth. The policy seeks to build on
this positive, synergistic relationship to stimulate simultaneous improvements in the housing sector and the
national economy.
This policy addresses all housing in Iraq, including housing in urban areas, peri-urban areas, and rural
areas of the country. While most aspects of the policy relate to housing in all of these areas, some proposals are
specifically targeted at removing obstacles to efficient housing production and management in either urban or
rural settings.



the housing challenge in iraq


Analysis of the housing sector of Iraq reveals a broad set of challenges in the years ahead. Many of these challenges
“interlock” with others; that is, they form a constellation of interrelated factors that are best addressed in a
comprehensive manner. The main challenges are listed below in descending order of importance:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Substantial unmet housing demand as the supply side, constrained by a number of different bottlenecks,
has been unable to produce new housing in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of a growing population.
Current estimates suggest that about 2 million dwellings will be required in urban Iraq by 2016. This
represents 200,000 dwellings per year for the next ten years or about one dwelling every 45 seconds of
the working day.
Acute shortage of buildable land in urban areas. The land management system does not systematically
convert land to residential use or make land parcels available to various potential builders and developers.
Near absence of formal housing finance. There is little capital readily accessible today for either home
improvement loans or long-term mortgage financing.
Incomplete legal and regulatory system for private sector investment in housing. Efficient and low-cost
mortgage lending can only thrive where the value of the underlying asset can be converted to money.
Infrastructure backlogs in many residential areas and declining infrastructure service levels owing to
inadequate maintenance.
Many households cannot afford decent housing. There are no scaled-up programs to make these
individuals and their families potential consumers of housing in a market system.
Deteriorated housing conditions owing to underinvestment in housing maintenance. The capital stock
of housing is continuing to decline as a result.
Undercapitalized construction sector dominated by low-producing public companies. There are few
investor/developers to serve lower- and middle-income groups and sparsely populated areas.
Lack of established procedures for improving or redeveloping unplanned settlements.


housing policy objectives
This Housing Policy was developed to achieve the following objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To facilitate access to decent housing for all Iraqis. “Decent housing” is understood to afford an adequate
amount of space, adequate protection from the elements, and access to basic infrastructure, social services,
and employment areas.
To increase efficiency in the production of housing.
To increase choice among Iraqis as to the type of housing, location, and tenure characteristics.
To increase the ability of the Government to address the needs of special groups and those unable to
afford suitable housing.
To improve the quality, including energy efficiency and environmental impacts, of new housing.
To improve the ability of homeowners to improve and expand existing shelter.




Five key principles guide the formulation of the housing policy.
1. The role of the public sector must be clarified and focused. A clear and concise role for the Government in
the housing sector is essential. Among the key elements of that role are:
• Overall guidance for the provision of housing by all players, in the context of managing urban growth and
advancing the public welfare.
• Analyzing the demand for housing based on current conditions, anticipated growth in population, and
changing demographics.
• Monitoring the overall production of housing of various levels of quality, service, and cost, and making
adjustments as required to promote housing production that can increasingly meet housing demand.
• Coordinating with other relevant bodies in the provision of infrastructure for residential areas.
• Attending to legal, administrative, and technical impediments to the growth of the housing stock in line
with demand.
• Paying special attention to the needs of the indigent and particular groups with unique needs.
2. A sufficient pace of housing production will require contributions from a variety of actors. The private
sector will continue to be the largest overall provider of housing. Specific strategies are necessary to support large,
medium, and small private sector builders and developers. Strategies are also required to enable households to
develop their housing units more efficiently and at an appropriate standard. At the same time, any public sector
housing developers should focus on underserved population segments and/or remote geographic areas.
3. A housing finance system must be rebuilt as a matter of urgency. The further development and expansion
of key financing institutions to enable short/medium/long term financing for the development, renovation,
extension, and purchase of housing is central to the success of the housing policy. Since housing is a long-term
investment and can serve to spark economic activity, it is fundamental that resources flow to the sector in an
efficient manner for all income groups and in all parts of the country. A key feature of a well-performing housing
finance system is sustainability: funds must be recovered efficiently from borrowers at all levels and then re-used
to finance additional housing activities.
4. Decentralization from the national to local governments for land use and infrastructure planning is
favored wherever possible. For resources to flow effectively to secondary cities and rural areas, participation by
lower levels of government will be vital.
5. New approaches to accelerate housing production. In addition to the systemic issues addressed in the
Policy, specific pilot approaches for implementation in the immediate term are necessary. Examples include
public-private partnerships, competitive sourcing for new housing development (“Request For Proposal [RFP]
Process”), and land wholesaling to developers. Housing and development standards must be continually reviewed
to ensure affordability of housing while not compromising key health and safety concerns, nor compromising
environmental conditions. Continual innovation in design, materials, energy efficiency, and environmental
impacts is to be supported.
On the basis of these principles and with a view to achieving the objectives



land management

There is a great need to increase the supply of affordable land in urban and peri-urban areas in Iraq. The demand
for land for housing exceeds the combined ability of public and private suppliers to respond. This is creating a
major challenge for both central and local governments.
At present, responsibilities and resources for land management and urban planning are highly centralized
in the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works and the Baghdad Mayoralty. The Provincial Powers Act of
2008 stipulates, however, that such responsibilities and resources are to be devolved to governorates and larger
municipalities, and the abilities of these entities to meet such needs are to be strengthened.
Land for housing needs to be considered in relation to land for other uses, such as work and leisure.
Commercial and industrial uses generally command higher land prices than housing, and land used for high-
income housing commands higher prices than land used for low-income housing. Given these disparities where
the value of land, particularly in urban areas, is largely determined by its use, there are considerable prospects
for generating internal cross-subsidies within development schemes that include different land uses. Professional
expertise can maximize the surplus from high-yield uses to reduce unit costs for less commercially viable ones,
such as housing for lower income groups, while remaining within the discipline of market-based prices.
Issue: Many existing residential areas have been only partially developed: they either lack basic infrastructure, or
have large vacant land parcels within the existing urban fabric.
Policy 2.1.1: Rationalize land and housing development efforts by first undertaking infill development,
then extending infrastructure networks to existing, partially serviced peripheral subdivisions, and finally
developing new “greenfield” subdivisions on vacant land.
Rationale: In an effort to facilitate increased housing production, it must be taken into account that some types
of investments are more economically efficient than others. Infill development—the construction of new housing
units on existing vacant land parcels—is the most efficient, since basic infrastructure such as roads, water supply
networks, and sewerage already exists at the edge of the site. Infill development will respond to the need to increase
the supply of residential land while minimizing land development expenditures. High priority will be given to
developing centrally located infill parcels at least 5,000 square meters in area.
The second most efficient form of housing investment in Iraqi cities involves completing the servicing
of existing subdivisions. Plots in these subdivisions have been allocated, but often infrastructure was not installed,
and on many plots houses were not built. Making infrastructure improvements in these areas will stimulate
housing construction by existing holders of use or ownership rights to the land, thereby increasing the housing
stock.
Finally, where infill development and servicing existing subdivisions cannot satisfy local housing demand,
then greenfield development should be undertaken. This involves the conversion of peripheral land to urban use,
subdivision of the land, and installation of basic infrastructure to create fully serviced land plots that can enter the
housing market. Priority will be given to lands which have low agricultural value.

Issue: There are few institutional mechanisms for creation and marketing of serviced land plots for
residential use.





Policy 2.1.2: Use land wholesaling to mobilize expertise and capital for land development.
Rationale: Most residential subdivisions are created by public sector developers, of which the overall output
is insufficient. Sub-national governments will “wholesale” land for residential development. Provincial or local
governments will identify a large parcel of land (e.g., 50-100 hectares), provide any off-site infrastructure required,
subdivide the parcel into a number of sub-parcels, and transfer development rights to those sub-parcels at market
prices to private land developers. The private land developers will develop their sub-parcels, subdividing the land
and providing basic on-site infrastructure services, and then market the plots prospective households that will
develop their own housing units on the sites.
This approach will be tested in pilot projects during the initial phase of policy implementation. Based
on the results of the pilot projects, the approach will then be refined and rolled out to other locations in the
country. In all cases, the identification of individual projects will take into account the land uses and zoning
permitted under local development plans in effect.
Issue: Sub-national governments have inadequate information about the land and housing development
opportunities in their jurisdictions.
Policy 2.1.3: Sub-national governments will prepare inventories of serviced plots and land close to
services and assess the suitability of this land for housing development within current and future city
development plans.
Rationale: Even though there are substantial quantities of vacant serviced and un-serviced plots in Iraqi cities, the
public sector has inadequate information about the location and size of available land. Sub-national governments
can contract out the inventories to private firms and then publicize them through the most appropriate available
channels (real estate agents, municipal web sites, posting in public venues, etc.) to make the information available
to professionals and consumers in the market.
Issue: Land prices are subsidized in an inefficient manner that does not meet the needs of low-income families
and vulnerable groups.
Policy 2.1.4: The current heavy subsidies on allocation of public land will be progressively removed and
prices will ultimately be based on market values. Measures will be introduced to facilitate access to land by
low-income households and other vulnerable groups. These measures include reductions in minimum official
plot sizes, permission to subdivide existing larger plots to increase private rental housing provision, and
inclusion of social housing components in some commercially funded residential developments.
Rationale: To offset high and increasing land prices in the private market, the price of public land has been held
down for many years to the point where, in some areas, it is nearly free. This effectively distorts the land market since private developers cannot compete with subsidized government projects. The slow pace of Government in
developing public land further intensifies demand for land available in the private market, adding to inflationary
pressures. To reduce these distortions and establish a well regulated and sustainable land market, the regulatory
framework of planning and building standards and administrative procedures must be reviewed and changes made
where appropriate. Pilot projects for public-private partnerships, such as joint venture companies, requests for
proposals, and planning briefs can demonstrate effective development pathways despite land market distortions.
Issue: The land registration system is antiquated and not comprehensive.

Policy 2.1.5: Government will establish and maintain an electronic national title registration program, with
data entry in local offices, of information on physical, legal, and financial attributes of land and improvements
to land. All paper-based copies will ultimately be transferred to the electronic system.
Rationale: While the land registration system is minimally effective and not a hindrance in housing development,
issues remain over false and forged titles, multiple ownership claims, and informal settlements reducing percentage
plot coverage. RERD records are hard copy only. There is little up-to-date data on land ownership and transactions.
Residents in established squatter communities generally lack title to land, although there have been some land
titling regularization efforts (especially for martyrs’ families, veterans, poor families and widows).
Issue: There is no effective real property taxation.
Policy 2.1.6: Sub-national governments will institute and enforce a fair and appropriately scaled system of
real estate taxes.
Rationale: Although there are laws in Iraq to value property and tax housing transfers accordingly, and to tax
rental incomes, there is no annual tax on occupied property and the established tax on vacant land is not collected.
In the absence of annual property taxation, local authorities are missing out on an important revenue stream for
funding local services. Property values rise with infrastructure investments. A tax on all real estate, including
housing and the land it rests on, would allow infrastructure providers such as municipal authorities to recover
part of the cost of building roads, water systems, wastewater systems, and other shelter-related infrastructure. Very
low-income owners may be exempted as a welfare measure as necessary.
Issue: There is inadequate variety in plot sizes to respond to the full range of housing demand based on income
and household characteristics.
Policy 2.1.7: Local governments will be encouraged and supported in providing a wide variation of plot
sizes, especially to involve the household in providing rented rooms through extension of their housing units,
effectively leveraging household resources for housing investment.
Rationale: Most residential plots in Iraq are in the 180-250 square meters range. Similarly, dwelling size varies
little with a general range of 140-215 square meters. These norms impose costs that are not affordable to all
households. A range of plot sizes would increase access to housing for low-income households and encourage the
subdivision of larger plots to provide rooms for rent. Borrowing rules for mortgage finance will be accordingly
amended to allow holders of use rights to small plots to be able to use them to secure collateralized mortgages.
Issue: The process of converting agricultural land to urban uses is inefficient and lacking in transparency.
Policy 2.1.8: The process of converting agricultural land to urban uses will be streamlined and publicized.
Information will be provided to the public, including holders of use rights of peripheral land, on the process
(regulatory systems and procedures) to transfer agricultural land to urban uses. Preference for conversion will
be given to desert land and land of poor agricultural quality, where available. In the case of towns without
an updated master plan, a two-step process will be adopted: 1) Rezone a limited area to respond to any
surplus demand (above and beyond infill and peripheral incomplete subdivisions); 2) After the master plan is completed, rezone more land consistent with projected future housing needs.
Rationale: While priority should be given to the development of urban infill plots and vacant land on the urban


periphery, the conversion of some agricultural land to urban use will also be necessary to meet current and
future housing needs. Most of this land now lies beyond municipal boundaries and municipalities lack the
authority (and resources) to extend services. As master plans are updated, more of this land may be included in
municipal areas, and some farmers would be ready to partner with developers in subdividing and selling their
land. By defining, streamlining (as required) and publicizing the process, sub-national governments will enable
participation in the process by current holders of use rights to peripheral land, which will increase the land supply
and allow land owners to capture some of the benefits of land development.
Issue: Planning, implementation, and management of land is centralized and therefore inefficient and
unresponsive to local needs.
Policy 2.1.9: Authority to prepare and implement projects and manage land will be devolved to the appropriate
local level. Staff and the resources to employ staff will be progressively transferred from line ministries to local
levels, although central authorities may continue to manage these responsibilities for smaller municipalities
not yet able to do so themselves. Integration between the departments of the Ministry of Municipalities and
Works and their branches in provinces will be augmented at the planning and executive levels.
Rationale: The recent decentralization law passes responsibility for the provision of land for housing projects
from the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works and Baghdad Mayoralty through to municipal councils,
the Governorates, or the Directorate of Investments. The current arrangements, in which plans are made at
central level and implemented locally, will be replaced by investing in governorates or municipalities the authority
to develop and implement their own land use plans. This change will require new laws and implementing
regulations.
Iraq has a rich tradition of housing design and construction. In recent years, the key housing producers – most
of them public companies – have been unable to build enough housing to satisfy demand. To respond to the
growing housing deficit, a broad range of housing producers will have to be mobilized. Iraq’s housing needs are
not only great, but also diverse. Some urban residents require high-density multi-story housing, which is typically
constructed by large, well-capitalized builders. At the same time, there is substantial demand for single-family
and low-rise housing, to which a broader array of builders can respond. Most housing in Iraq is constructed by
small-scale builders who work for individual clients that provide the design and financing for the house. While few in this group will ever produce large multi-story projects, their contribution in the aggregate is nonetheless
important. Any steps that can be taken to lower the fixed costs of operation for these builders and to stabilize
the demand for the housing they provide will serve to benefit these companies and ultimately serve the housing
needs of Iraq. The housing industry also needs to respond to demand in peri-urban and rural areas across the
country. Disparities in construction costs around Iraq are indicative of bottlenecks in building materials and labor
markets, but also reflect legal and administrative impediments to housing construction. These impediments drive
up housing costs and eventually housing prices. In a competitive environment, rising housing costs diminish the
profits of builders and discourage further housing production.
The State Commission for Housing can make a significant contribution by changing the way in which
public housing is provided, to be more relevant to local conditions and needs. The Government’s role in direct
housing production will become smaller as the private sector’s role grows. Limited public resources will ultimately
dictate a more targeted production role for public entities to serve those who cannot be well-served by the private
sector owing to income or special circumstances.


The IHMS survey highlighted the owner-builder and incremental path to housing as an important
current and future approach to improving and expanding the housing stock. This is a business model with
which many Iraqis are comfortable, and which must continue to play an important role even as other models are
encouraged over time. In a market economy, the construction sector cannot be separated neatly from housing
development as a speculative business. The potential to make profit drives private investment in housing, which
in a well-functioning market increases housing supply efficiently. While much of the single family housing today
is built for the owner, as the economy improves, developers need to help provide a steady delivery of housing
in anticipation of demand. At the larger scale, the ability of construction companies to work effectively with
investors, foreign and domestic, is also important. This requires more advanced financing and bonding systems as
well as more innovative contracting and subcontracting relationships.
Innovation will be key to improving conditions in the housing sector. Just as innovative designs and
building materials will improve the quality of housing units, innovative housing production methods will enable
supply to approach demand. Public and private sector entities need to find new, productive ways of working
together on housing projects and programs. Iraq can take advantage of existing international models for public-
private partnerships and develop some indigenous mechanisms that are particularly suited to the regulatory,
economic and social climate of the country.
The overall approach is to increase housing production by enabling private sector builders and developers
to enter the market. The public sector regulates the sector, creating the incentives and/or removing the obstacles
to increased private sector activity. At the same time, public housing construction companies are to be refocused
to serve vulnerable or underserved population groups.
The transition to an enabling framework in which private builders provide most new housing in Iraq
will take time. The reduction in public construction of housing will be done at a pace commensurate with the
increase in privately built housing. Other parts of the housing policy (Land Management, Housing Finance and
Affordability) also contribute significantly to this paradigm shift. Policies that are specific to Housing Production
are identified below.
Issue: There are few existing mid-sized housing developers that can produce small and medium multi-unit housing
projects in Iraqi cities.
Policy 2.2.1: The public sector will facilitate the emergence of capable, mid-sized private housing developers
by (1) creating a level playing field where private developers can compete fairly against public ones; (2)
facilitating access to land and finance; and (3) providing technical assistance on a project basis to improve
developers’ technical and managerial capacity.
Rationale: All Iraqi cities have small-scale builders that can construct houses for private clients. Some cities have
large developers that can build and market large subdivisions. But the middle of the industry is underdeveloped,
and more mid-sized developers are needed to contribute to housing production by building projects in the
range of 5 to 50 dwelling units. To create a level playing field, government will discontinue fiscal and financial advantages enjoyed by public-sector housing producers: interest-free loans, waivers of requirements to provide a
bank guarantee, tax exemptions, and land at concessional prices. Sub-national governments will facilitate access
to land through land wholesaling (see policy under “Land Management” above.) Through the reform proposals
for housing finance (see below), commercial banks will be enabled to provide construction finance to housing
developers. Government will provide industry-specific technical assistance to developers to structure public-private
partnerships for housing development (see policy under “Land Management” above). Moreover, developers will be
encouraged to participate in other training programs focusing on general business, management and marketing
skills offered to the private sector in Iraq.
Issue: State-owned construction contractors are not making a significant contribution to addressing the housing
deficit.
Policy 2.2.2: The Ministry will rationalize its portfolio of public-sector construction contractors by
consolidating them in to a smaller number of entities and orienting them towards production of low-income
housing.
Rationale: The existence of inefficient companies with an unclear mandate is detrimental to the sector owing to
inefficiency and the potential to crowd out participation by private companies. The scope of these companies,
their status, and their mandate must be made more transparent, and their contribution to the sector more targeted to areas where the private sector is less apt to respond. MOCH will conduct a comprehensive review of
each of the contractors and consolidate them into a smaller number of companies with a more specific mandate.
Some contractors will have the production of housing for low-income households as their explicit mandate. In
this way, the public housing contractors will complement the growing private housing development sector, which
will service middle- and high-income households. Public sector contractors will be corporatized in the short term
and privatized within a five-year period. As part of corporatization, the contractors will act as independent cost
centers that procure inputs without state subsidies (market-rate finance and land), are obligated to pay the same
taxes as private companies, and have the right to keep any profits that they generate.
Issue: There are few institutional mechanisms available for housing development.
Policy 2.2.3: Use public-private partnerships and cooperatives to mobilize expertise and capital for housing
development.
Rationale: Sub-national governments will help to structure public-private partnerships (PPP) by bringing
professional, private land developers and existing owners of large land parcels suitable for residential development.
In such partnerships, the land owner will provide the land, the developer will bring expertise and financing,
and the sub-national government will provide off-site infrastructure, as required. The roles and responsibilities
of the different parties will be regulated by a Development Agreement, a standard commercial contract. The
partnership, led by the private developer, will subdivide and service the land, then build and market housing
units. This approach will be tested in pilot projects in the initial phase of policy implementation. Based on the
results of the pilot projects, the approach will then be refined and rolled out to other locations in the country. In
all cases, the identification of housing projects will take into account the land uses and zoning permitted under
local development plans in effect.
International housing developers can play a role in developing the PPP mechanism in Iraq. Government
will encourage entry of international developers into the market to mobilize their financing and expertise for
housing production. Joint ventures between international and domestic housing developers are useful for
transferring expertise. In the long run, the goal is to develop high PPP capacity among Iraqi developers and their
partners.
PPPs can also be used not only for “greenfield” projects (new development), but also for redevelopment
of existing areas. Some city-center areas with high land values currently have deteriorated, low-density housing on
them. The highest and best use of such land may include higher-density housing mixed with commercial or other
uses. In such cases, governments can join forces with private developers through a Request for Proposals process
to implement redevelopment projects. The feasibility study will establish the social, economic, and environmental
feasibility of such projects. Existing residents can be offered units within the finished project, or can be offered
other just compensation in kind or in cash. The details of informal housing redevelopment projects (see Policy 2.7
below) also generally relate to redevelopment projects involving other types of housing.
Government will also enable the revival of the cooperative housing movement, in which cooperatives pool their
resources, develop small residential subdivisions, and distribute serviced land plots to their members for house
construction.


Issue: The completion rate for permitted housing is low.
Policy 2.2.4: The Government will enable incremental development of housing through new financing
mechanisms, apply “sunset clauses” to land distributed for residential use, and enforce construction deadlines
through improved development control.
Rationale: There are 1.0-1.5 million vacant plots in existing, partially developed subdivisions in cities around
Iraq. Many of these subdivisions lack basic urban services; many of the owners are holding the land for investment
purposes only, with no intention to build housing in the near future. These existing plots represent a resource
that Iraq must exploit in filling the housing deficit. Government will retroactively impose “sunset clauses” on the
owners of land use rights to such plots. Owners/lessees will be required to achieve substantial completion of a
dwelling unit within a specified time period (e.g., three years). Owners/lessees that do not comply will use their
use rights to the plot, which will revert to Government for sale to another party. The sunset clauses will also apply
to new land subdivisions developed by government agencies.
Government will link efforts to enforce compliance with sunset clauses to initiatives to improve access
to housing finance, including mortgage loans and medium-term loans for incremental housing construction.
Improved development control can also help to ensure that housing development projects (large or small) are
completed on a timely basis, thereby making a contribution to increasing housing supply. As development control
responsibilities are devolved to lower levels of government, concomitant regulatory measures and institutional
capacity building programs need to be carried out.
Issue: There are few socially, aesthetically, and environmentally successful models for housing projects in Iraq
today.
Policy 2.2.5: MOCH will develop and promulgate models for alternative design models for housing projects,
with an emphasis on medium-density, low-rise, multi-family housing.
Rationale: Iraq has a long tradition in developing sustainable housing. The traditional models of low-rise, party-
well housing developed in Iraq and other countries in the region have stood the test of time, offering their
inhabitants a comfortable, secure environment in which to live, work, and interact with the community.
As Iraq’s housing sector continues its post-war recovery, these traditional models have had limited impact
on the types of housing projects being undertaken. Many new projects are Western-style subdivisions with detached
single-family housing on individual plots. Others are medium-rise apartment complexes that offer residents little
contact with nature, even at a small scale. Residential towers are also being built in some neighborhoods.

MOCH will promulgate good housing design by developing a number of different housing design prototypes.
The variety is as important as the nature of the models themselves.
Some prototypes will involve low-rise, medium-density housing, multi-family housing such as attached and semi-
attached terrace housing. Units can be between two and four stories tall. Terrace housing allows residents to have
a private or shared back yard and direct access down the stairs and to the street (no long double-loaded corridors).
Since terrace housing creates a near-continuous “street wall” (façade), streets tend to be more comfortable and
pleasant to walk through, and neighborhoods are often be more dynamic as a results.
Housing projects composed of many apartment buildings set out geometrically on the land do not
generate that kind of dynamic street environment. However, higher-density apartments (4-5 story walkups) can
be used to fit more housing into a smaller area, thereby increasing cost efficiency and reducing the environmental
footprint of each unit. Therefore, some design prototypes developed by MOCH will feature apartment blocks.
The buildings will be oriented toward public spaces, such as the street, parks and open spaces, and recreational
facilities.
While residential towers may be appropriate for some high-value central urban neighborhoods, they
will not be encouraged as a primary model of housing development, given their higher cost, greater energy
consumption, and weaker connection between the household and the community, on the one hand, and the
natural environment, on the other. High-rise development, whether residential or commercial, will also
be
located by city-wide development plans in designated clusters, rather than being distributed throughout the city.
Single-family detached housing, while not as environmentally successful as terrace housing, will nonetheless be
included as one of the housing design prototypes because of (1) its ability to facilitate a strong connection to the
land and (2) the strong preference of many Iraqi households for this type of housing.
Housing accounts for a major share of household and national finances. Building or buying a house is the largest
single financial investment that most families will ever make. At the same time, housing finance accounts for a
large share (in developed economies, often trillions of dollars) of the whole financial sector.
While housing finance has the potential to general significant economic benefits for a wide range of actors,
the housing finance sector in Iraq is not performing well today. It is important to distinguish between housing
construction finance, which is high risk commercial financing, and mortgage finance, which when effectively
underwritten is a lower risk type of finance that can stimulate the demand for new and existing housing. At
present, there is no systemic mortgage financing in Iraq. A system to convert the massive housing need in Iraq to
effective housing demand through long-term mortgage finance and short- to medium-term housing improvement
loans is sorely needed. Several interrelated aspects of this conversion were considered in the formulation of the
policy.
With respect to institutional aspects of housing finance provision, the expansion and development of a
system of key financing institutions, both public and private, is essential to enable resources to flow to the sector
in an efficient manner for all income groups in all parts of the country. However, the oldest institution in the
sector, the REB, after ceasing lending in 2003, only resumed making loans in 2007. Owing to a high default rate,
most of its loans have been written off and it is now undercapitalized. The NHF began making housing loans in
July 2005, but to the end of December 2008 only 6,560 loans throughout the Country had been made, or about
1% of a national housing need estimated at 674,412 in 2006 by the IHMS.
Commercial banks have not played a major role in housing finance, mainly lending to large depositors

and known entities for bridging finance. In most countries, commercial banks, either through savings deposits or
investor capital in the form of stocks and bonds, have become the principal means of extending mortgage finance
throughout the country.
As concerns financial aspects, Government-sponsored subsidies that are not accurately targeted and
enforced can destroy the viability of any housing finance system. The present lending terms of both the REB
and the NHF are heavily subsidized. This should allow the REB and the NHF to target low-income households.
However, in order to qualify for a loan, their borrowers must have a registered title to a serviced plot, secure
employment for at least seven years, and plans for a detached (usually ground plus one storey) house. As a result,
most of the loan recipients have been middle to upper-income borrowers, and most moderate and low-income
families, for whom housing need is greatest, do not qualify.
Although low-income borrowers wishing to upgrade their houses or build small ones on existing plots in
peripheral subdivisions might not qualify for construction loans, they could qualify for smaller, short-term loans.
The mechanism for establishing and implementing such a loan product to improve and upgrade the housing stock
is an integral part of any housing finance system. On the legal side, a housing finance system must be based
on a comprehensive housing finance law that provides for enforcement through foreclosure, repossession, and
resale of collateral, namely the unit being financed. At present, Iraq does not have such an all-inclusive mortgage
foreclosure law.
While both the REB and the NHF have detailed qualifications for obtaining a loan, the loans themselves
must be based on legally enforceable loan agreements. These agreements typically set out the terms of repayment,
amortization tables, and the actions to be taken in case of loan delinquency or default. In addition, it is not
certain whether loan applications for either institution are based on a standard national application form. Critical
information, such as the purpose of the loan, the overall cost of the unit to be purchased, and recourse in the case
of false information, should be conveyed through standardized language for all lenders.
Issue: There are few institutional mechanisms available today to lend money for the construction, extension or
rehabilitation of housing.

Policy 2.3.1: MOF and MOCH will diversity sources of housing finance by encouraging and enabling
commercial banks to enter the mortgage finance business.
Rationale: In most countries commercial banks are the main institutions issuing both housing construction and
mortgage loans. Given that mortgage finance can be a highly profitable, low risk type of lending for any bank,
commercial banks that wish to expand their operations are well-positioned to become the primary mortgage
lenders in the country.
Issue: Direct lending by the REB and NHF for the construction or purchase of housing units does not meet the
housing finance needs of the country.
Policy 2.3.2: MOCH and MOF will establish REB and NHF as second-tier housing finance institutions that
would undertake commercial wholesale lending to commercial banks.
Rationale: In order to expand the institutional base for housing finance, the REB and/or the NHF can best
function as second-tier institutions undertaking wholesale lending to commercial banks, which in turn would
make primary mortgage loans to individual borrowers.
Issue: Most houses being built today are not affordable by middle and low-income households.
Policy 2.3.3: In collaboration with MOF and participating commercial banks and based on updated income
data, MOCH will establish new parameters to increase the affordability of housing for middle, moderate,
and low-income households.
Rationale: In order to increase affordability for middle and low-income households, the maximum size of the
loan should be determined by three factors: (i) maximum affordability of the borrower at some 30% of household
income; (ii) maximum cost of the unit; and (iii) maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of the unit. Setting these
parameters judiciously will vastly increase housing affordability for Iraqi families, while limiting the financing of
oversize and costly units and lender exposure on any one unit.
Issue: Existing subsidized interest rates for housing loans, while crowding private lenders out of the market, do not benefit the neediest socioeconomic groups.
Policy 2.3.4: Low interest government funds should be targeted to low-income households, low-income
women-headed households, and disabled people.
Rationale: With interest rates from 9% to 14% per annum, commercial banks will never enter the housing
finance sector as long as the REB continues to lend at 2% for up to 20 years and the NHF at 6% for up to 15
years. These concessionary funds could therefore be channeled through commercial banks to priority population
segments who cannot afford market rates. Beneficiary households can be in cities or in remote, rural, or less
developed areas of the country. As wholesalers of housing finance, REB or NHF can set up a dedicated revolving
fund for this activity.
Issue: Low-income borrowers wishing to upgrade their houses or build a new “starter” dwelling unit on an
existing plot have difficulty qualifying for mortgage loans.
Policy 2.3.5: In order to increase the quality of the housing stock, MOCH will encourage more extensive use
of housing extension and improvement loans.
Rationale: Such lending could be comprised of smaller loans for smaller unit construction, housing additions,
and housing improvements. Collateral for such loans should be movable property so that in the case of default of
a housing improvement/addition loan, the lender does not repossess the whole house.
Issue: Loans intended for long-term housing finance are easily diverted for short-term commercial purposes.
Policy 2.3.6: A representative sample of commercial mortgage loans will be field audited in order to determine
that the stated purpose of the loan is the same as the final use of the loan.
Rationale: Diversion of funds from the housing sector can quickly undermine financing programs fundamental
to expansion of the housing stock. With effective auditing and legal authority, the lender would have the power
and capacity to recall the outstanding balance on loans not being used for the stated purpose or based on false
applicant information.
Issue: Without an effective legal basis, unsustainable losses could happen to any commercial bank wishing to
participate in the sector.

Policy 2.3.7: In collaboration with MOCH and MOF, the Ministry of Justice will draft a comprehensive
housing finance law to provide for foreclosure, repossession, and resale of collateral.
Rationale: A sustainable housing finance system must have a legal basis. A comprehensive housing finance law can
establish a dedicated judicial route that allows banks to avoid the courts and take their cases to special tribunals
established for this purpose. Provisions to enable the emergence of mortgage insurance will be included in the law.
This will help encourage private commercial bank investment in housing, including by foreign banks.
Issue: Effective wholesale lending from the REB and/or NHF to commercial banks will not occur unless the REB
and NHF have recourse to the banks for repayment of their loans.
Policy 2.3.8: In order to prevent de-capitalization of the REB and/or the NHF, the housing finance law will
contain clauses providing for recourse to commercial banks for bad loans.
Rationale: With a legally enforceable loan agreement between the REB and/or the NHF and the commercial banks
setting out the terms of repayment, amortization table, and the actions to be taken in case of loan delinquency or
default, commercial banks will have the incentive to enforce all primary mortgage loans.





infrastructure for housing


Iraq’s infrastructure providers are dedicated to providing full infrastructure for all planned housing areas as they are
implemented. They have the conventional role of providing infrastructure on empty land ahead of development;
this will continue to be a major part of their work in the future, but at a scale needed to keep up with growing
demand as the economy improves and builders respond to pent-up demand for housing.
Apart from this ongoing challenge to respond to the infrastructure needs of new residential development in Iraq,
there are three other contexts in which infrastructure is a constraint on housing development now in urban Iraq:
•
•
•
Land that is already serviced but in need of major improvements in services provision (serviced
neighborhoods);
Land that is formally allocated and may be developed, but for which infrastructure has been inadequately
provided (unserviced neighborhoods);
Land that has been developed informally and has not been serviced (informal settlements).
In areas that are already serviced, there is nearly universal coverage of the basic infrastructure — water,
sanitation, electrical power, and roads. However, the quality of the existing service measured in service interruption
(water and electricity) and reduced local capacity (sanitation, drainage and roads) are often well below standard
and overall system capacity. There is an urgent and on-going need to restore adequate levels of service through
the current infrastructure. Extending services to existing unserviced and developing areas is a priority for housing
supply as a lack of serviced land is a major bottleneck to housing production. In addition, services are needed in
informal areas that are being regularized and in areas allocated for future development.
Issue: Shelter-related infrastructure services are characterized either by low coverage levels or uneven
service levels.
Policy 2.4.1: The public sector will improve shelter-related services through a combination of increased
capital investments and better maintenance and management.

Rationale: While coverage rates for some services (e.g., water supply, sanitation) are relatively high across urban
Iraq, the quality of service is generally low. Treatment of liquid and solid waste, for example, is inadequate.
In order to improve living conditions and stimulate more efficient, higher density utilization of urban land,
government must improve roads, storm water drainage, water supply, sewerage, electricity, street lighting, and
solid waste services. While end users can be expected to cover the O&M costs of the systems, some capital costs
will likely have to be borne by the State, given the low ability to pay of many urban households. Through more
rigorous planning and development control, government entities will not allow housing project construction to
proceed in advance of infrastructure provision.
To ensure coordination between the different service providers, local governments will convene Land Development
Working Groups with participation from relevant departments and utilities. On a zone-by-zone basis, specific
and detailed schedules for infrastructure improvements will be drawn up and agreed by all parties. Monthly
meetings of the Working Groups will enable follow-up and increase the efficiency of land development actions.
Issue: Existing, city-wide infrastructure systems are sometimes overwhelmed by the requirements of new housing
development.
Policy 2.4.2: Upgrade trunk infrastructure as required to make system capacity sufficient to accommodate
additional demand from new, large residential subdivisions or significant densification of existing residential
areas.
Rationale: There is little excess capacity in many urban infrastructure systems, including roads, water supply,
sewerage, solid waste, and electrical power. As new housing is built, demand grows, and infrastructure systems
become overtaxed. By systematically evaluating the impact of housing development on infrastructure systems,
government can anticipate future needs and make timely improvements to primary (trunk) infrastructure.
Payments by developers can be used to finance some of these improvements.
Issue: Shelter-related infrastructure suffers from inadequate amounts of financing and low operational efficiency.
Policy 2.4.3: Promote private sector involvement in the development and management of shelter-related
infrastructure.
Rationale: Private sector participation can mobilize capital for infrastructure investment, lead to innovation, and
improve operational efficiency. Sub-national governments can examine specific opportunities to achieve these
benefits in such shelter-related infrastructure as such as water and wastewater systems, solid waste management,
and road maintenance.
Issue: Many urban infrastructure services use outdated technologies and are inefficient.

Policy 2.4.4: New infrastructure provision will utilize locally appropriate technologies and designs rather
than simply extend existing networks. In particular, water-saving systems, non-sewered sanitation systems,
sustainable energy provision, and waste disposal that are less costly and more environmentally sustainable
will be emphasized.
Rationale: The extension of existing networks will prove too cumbersome and resource-intensive in some
instances, and is inappropriate for rapidly-developing cities extending many miles beyond the planned core. More
localized grids and networks, smaller-scale treatment methods, and fulfillment of the international sustainability
agendas should be considered.


housing management and maintenance


While most of the housing stock in urban Iraq is in good or fair condition, between 30% and 50% of housing
in older, central city areas is in poor condition (needing major structural rehabilitation) or uninhabitable. To
improve the condition of this substantial portion of the housing stock, more financing for housing repair and
rehabilitation is required. The housing finance dimensions of the housing maintenance challenge are discussed in
Section 2.3 above.
The potential loss of old housing due to physical decay is a particularly pressing problem in historic
urban areas. Historic preservation has understandably not been accorded a high priority during Iraq’s recent years
of conflict and hardship. In the past few years, preservation efforts have picked up in Baghdad and other cities.
Historic preservation as a discipline and an objective is broader than housing per se, given that old neighborhoods
with architecturally distinct structures and/or remarkable histories encompass a broad range of land uses. However,
as most historic buildings are houses, it will be important for housing to be incorporated into the emerging policy
and practice of historic preservation in Iraq.
An even more acute management challenge is posed by rental housing in Iraqi cities. About 90 percent
of landlords reportedly make no investment in maintenance or rehabilitation whatsoever. The poor conditions
of private rental housing (which accounts for more than 90 percent of the urban rental housing stock) is
complemented by the poor quality of services to the housing. One-half of households complain of poor water
supply and one-quarter about the water quality itself.
Conditions for renters are of particular concern as Iraq revitalizes the sector. The historic reliance on
rental housing in a variety of settings is an important resource that adds needed flexibility to the overall housing
mix in urban Iraq. Yet the rental market is now out of balance owing to slow or even negative growth in supply in
recent years and a shift in demand as incomes fell and many families were displaced. Rent control has artificially
suppressed prices for some rental housing at below-market levels; revenues from rent-controlled housing are
insufficient to ensure adequate maintenance.
The 5-10% of the rental stock that belongs to the Government is beset by a different set of concerns.
First, many of these units are in high-rise buildings for which maintenance is more complicated and potentially
costly. Second, rents are low and generally bear no relationship to the underlying value of the property or even
its recurrent costs. Third, the implicit subsidy that results is not targeted to low-income or vulnerable groups,
distorting the rental market overall and eliminating any opportunity to generate revenue for maintenance and
expansion of the housing stock.
Issue: The private rental housing stock is deteriorated owing to very low expenditures on maintenance.
Policy 2.5.1: Government will increase inspections of private rental housing units, using innovative and
community-based pilot methods, to improve compliance with minimum housing standards.
Rationale: In the tight housing market that prevails in many Iraqi cities, renters are at a particular disadvantage as owners have little incentive to repair units to attract or retain tenants. Deteriorating conditions decrease area
property values while potentially undermining public health.
Issue: Maintenance of public rental housing is inadequate.
Policy 2.5.2: Government will encourage the privatization of maintenance services for all government
entities managing housing stock.
Rationale: Opening up the maintenance of government housing to private vendors will increase price competition
and may result in lower cost services. Housing maintenance companies require little start-up capital and can
thereby quickly mobilize and offer local employment opportunities.
Issue: Maintenance of common spaces in multifamily housing is inadequate.
Policy 2.5.3: Government will revise the regulatory framework for management and maintenance of
multifamily housing.
Rationale: The existing cooperative law provides the framework for management of multifamily housing
today. Not only is maintenance of common spaces inadequate, but it is also difficult and complicated to sell an apartment in one cooperative building and purchase one in another. To facilitate easy transfer of housing assets
and generally improve the framework for multifamily housing management, the existing cooperative law and its
implementing regulations will be revised.
Issue: Occupancy of the Government rental housing stock does not favor lower-income families.
Policy 2.5.4: Government will develop guidelines to give priority to lower-income families for vacant units
and for new projects.
Rationale: Tenants in Government-built housing have, on average, significantly higher incomes than tenants of
private rental housing. The sub-market rents in Government units amount to a misplaced subsidy that favors
higher income Iraqis. Poorer Iraqis who must rely on the private rental market cannot benefit from this subsidy.
The Ministry of Construction and Housing can accelerate its alignment of subsidy with societal need through
a concerted effort to privatize existing stock that largely serves middle-class renters, allowing the Ministry to
refocus its resources on poorer families and vulnerable groups.
Issue: Many historic urban areas are threatened by poor maintenance and lack of investment in preservation of
the building stock.
Policy 2.5.5: Government will enable greater preservation of historic mixed-use urban areas through
creation of historic districts, improvement of the investment climate, and catalytic public-sector investments.
Rationale: Creation of historic districts will allow local governments to exert more stringent control over the
redevelopment of buildings located therein. Proposals for changes to any buildings in the district will have to
undergo more stringent plan review against historic and other criteria. Owners will be prohibited from making
changes to the exterior of selected buildings identified in advance as having particular architectural value.
The single greatest driver of rehabilitation of historic neighborhoods is perceived investment value. By
improving the investment environment for old housing, local governments can make rehabilitation more attractive
to owners and potential developers. Local government investment in infrastructure and in catalytic rehabilitation projects in historic neighborhoods will create value for existing property owners, thereby incentivizing additional
investment. Infrastructure investments can include improvements to the public realm, such as streets, any open
spaces, and landscaping. Local governments can rehabilitate public buildings in the area and/or purchase and
rehabilitate selected old homes. Some of these can be converted into museums. Religious authorities can also be
encouraged to invest in the rehabilitation of such buildings as mosques and madrasas.


construction materials

Iraq has the potential to satisfy its own buildings materials needs. Currently, however, the domestic building
materials industry is under-producing. Public and private sector manu¬fac¬turers suffer from aging infrastructure,
lack of spare parts, inadequate supply of electricity, post-war looting, and general neglect during the years when
Iraq was under sanctions and at war. These factors constrain operational efficiency and limit production, resulting
in the need to import basic materials such as cement and manufactured parts such as windows, plumbing supplies,
and electrical equipment. High retail prices, which are caused in part by supply bottlenecks, constrain the
production of affordable housing. Building materials producers cite as their most pressing problems: high prices
and shortages of raw materials, transportation difficulties, poor quality of inputs, and frequent lack of electricity.
Building materials produced in Iraq include cement, bricks, glass, tile, PVC pipe, gypsum, and concrete
block. Cement firms are government-owned, while brick producers are almost all under private ownership. Private
companies and parastatals both produce ceramic tiles and PVC piping. In an operating environment characterized
by subsidized energy and few rewards for strong performance, there is little incentive for public-sector producers
to increase their oper¬ating efficiency or output. The building materials sector concerns not only residential
construction, but also non-residential construction. The issue of performance in this sector is therefore broader
than housing per se, and cannot be completely addressed within the context of the national housing policy. The
following policy proposals relate directly to buildings materials for housing construction.
Issue: Building materials production companies lack financing to rehabilitate their existing factories or build new
ones.
Policy 2.6.1: Facilitate access of building materials producers to funding for rehabilitation and construction
of production facilities.
Rationale: To meet future demand for materials for residential construction, companies need to access more
financing in order to invest in their production facilities. The inchoate nature of the financial sector in general
and the lack of credit available to firms in particular are limiting the ability to make capital improvements.
Government should facilitate lending by commercial banks to building materials producers on market terms.
Additional loans can be provided through other sources such as the Industrial Bank. Some grant financing is also
available through donor assistance. Government should assist building materials producers to tap into a broad
range of financing sources.
The impediments to this process are similar to those of expanding mortgage lending, as described in Section
2.3 above. The laws and processes regarding recourse to collateral in case of non-payment of debt need to be
strengthened in order for finance to flow more freely.
Issue: Building materials producers today are inefficient by international standards and often lack ready access
to the latest production technologies and the capital resources needed to upgrade their facilities and operations.
Policy 2.6.2: Promote the use of joint ventures between building materials producers for knowledge transfer
and access to capital.
Rationale: Joint ventures between public building materials producers and private companies can provide access
to new funding for factory rehabilitation and construction. At the same time, private partners can bring expertise
in improved production methods and technologies. Public producers of cement, ceramic tiles, and PVC piping
will benefit from such joint ventures (JVs).
Private Iraqi building materials producers will also benefit from JVs with international building materials
producers. The benefits to private companies of associating with international firms are similar to the benefits
to public companies identified above: innovation, production know-how, and additional financing for capital
improvements.
Issue: Fiscal and financial advantages to publicly owned building materials companies give these companies an
unfair advantage and inhibit the entry of private buildings materials companies into the market.
Policy 2.6.3: Standardize the operating environment for all building materials producers, importers and
distributors.
Rationale: By creating a level playing field where all companies can compete, Government can stimulate
private sector investment in the building materials sector. Current fiscal and financial advantages of public
companies, such as preferential tax treatment, customs duties exemptions, and concessional financing, will
be removed. The same taxes and duties will apply to all materials producers, regardless of ownership (public,
private, or joint venture). Similarly, taxes and duties will be standardized for building materials importers
and distributors.
Issue: State-owned building materials companies are not making an efficient contribution to addressing the
backlog of housing construction materials.
Policy 2.6.4: Government will rationalize publicly-owned building materials companies by carrying out a
full assessment of each company and developing for each a specific plan that may include liquidation, re-
capitalization, partial and full privatization, re-organization, or some other approach.
Rationale: The large majority of the building materials companies in Iraq are privately owned and operated.
The state-owned companies in cement, glass, ceramics, and other materials are inefficient and under-productive.
Following a case-by-case assessment of individual companies, Government can generate revenues and improve
sector performance by selling shares of the company to local or international investors. This can include the joint
ventures discussed above. The entry of international building materials producers into the national Iraqi market
would promote efficiency gains and innovation.
Issue: The most commonly used materials for residential construction in Iraqi cities have high environmental
costs. Cement production is energy-intensive, while conventional brick-making consumes valuable agricultural
soil and emits significant amounts of greenhouses gases.
Policy 2.6.5: Promote the production and use of locally produced, environmentally friendly building
materials through economic incentives and research.
Rationale: The introduction of “greener” building materials such as modern insulation can help reduce the
environmental costs imposed by the housing sector. The closer the production facility of such materials to
the consumer, the lower the transportation requirements, and the smaller the ecological footprint. Economic
incentives to producers of environmentally friendly materials will help to encourage increases in production.
Government will also finance additional research in green building materials to help develop new products. The MOCH’s existing Knowledge and Training Center will include green building materials on its agenda.
Issue: Some domestically produced building materials are of low quality compared to analogous
international products.
Policy 2.6.6: Improve quality control of domestic building materials producers.
Rationale: By enforcing existing quality control standards, Government can stimulate an increase in quality of
building materials produced in Iraq. Better quality materials will contribute to better quality buildings and make
Iraqi products more competitive in relation to imported construction materials.


informal housing

Iraq has historically enjoyed a low level of informal housing development. In recent years, however, there has
been an increase in informal housing, including squatting in public buildings and proliferation of small informal
settlements. This is a result of the war, consequent internal displacement of some peoples, and a relaxation of
development controls. This is an anomalous condition specific to this period in Iraqi history. While diverse,
informal settlements in Iraq have in common the characteristic of having been developed outside the law: residents
either do not have use rights to the land, or the buildings have been constructed without government approval.
As in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa, informal settlements often mimic formal
settlements, using use simple street layouts and standard plot sizes and building setbacks. Conditions in informal
settlements vary, as some lack piped water, sewage networks, electricity, solid waste collections and paved roads
while in others four-fifths of residents enjoy electrical power and piped water supply. The variety of conditions
obtaining in Iraq’s informal settlements makes it important to have a range of policy responses.
The overarching policy with regards to informal settlements is to adopt a case-by-case approach to
informal settlements. Blanket policies will not prove successful, given the range of conditions obtaining in
informal settlements. The essential choice is between upgrading the settlements or redeveloping them. Upgrading
informal settlements consists of in situ development, in which most houses and residents will remain in place.
Physical improvements to infrastructure such as water supply, sanitation, drainage, roads and power are part of
the upgrading processes. Land tenure is also often regularized. Upgrading works best when there is extensive
consensus and collaboration between residents, land owners, local governments, and infrastructure providers.
Redevelopment of informal settlements involves removal of most or all existing buildings and construction
of new ones, often with more high-yield land uses (e.g., commercial) and higher densities. Redevelopment usually
entails relocation of part or all of the existing residents, although some schemes provide them with new on-site
dwelling units. Resettled residents are accommodated in other areas by the entity in charge of redevelopment
through providing serviced plots, dwelling units and/or financial compensation. Based on the above, the following
policies are set out for informal settlements.
Issue: Living conditions in informal settlements are substandard: low availability of services, public health risks
from inadequate liquid and solid waste collection and treatment, and poor transport links to off-site jobs and
services.
Policy 2.7.1: Informal settlements will be upgraded or redeveloped on a case-by-case basis. A standardized
assessment of the specific settlement will be used to select an approach and design tailored interventions for
each settlement.
Rationale: As Iraq is facing a housing deficit, informal settlements are often a result of the inability of the
government or markets to provide housing. They represent a significant contribution to the housing stock.
Demolishing them would exacerbate the housing deficit. In situ upgrading of these existing settlements will
facilitate improvement of living conditions for local residents. This in turn could help alleviate the housing
deficit. Pre-feasibility studies on a given settlement will use the following criteria to select the upgrading or
redevelopment approach:
1. Suitability of the proposed upgrading area for long-term residential use;
2. Redevelopment potential of the site, as measured by the economic return on similar parcels in the
same town with other land uses (retail, office, industrial, etc.) or developed at a higher density (e.g.,
blocks of flats), in comparison with the current economic return generated by the informal housing
settlement.
3. Willingness of the community to participate actively in an upgrading activity or to be relocated to
another site in the case of redevelopment;
4. Institutional capacity in the public and/or private sectors to undertake an upgrading (difficult) or
redevelopment (very difficult) project.
Where upgrading is selected as the preferred intervention in a specific neighborhood, sub-national
governments will be sure to enforce development controls city-wide so as not to encourage or allow additional
informal settlement. This will only work if low-income households are given other opportunities to access decent
housing; therefore coordination with land and housing development initiatives outlined in early sections will
be essential. In the case where an informal neighborhood to be upgraded is located on land formerly zoned
for industrial or commercial uses, alternative sites will be found for the necessary industrial and commercial
development.
Issue: Resettlement may not result in comparable housing conditions for the current residents of informal
settlements.
Policy 2.7.2: Resettlement will be done fairly, based on thorough consultation with the affected community,
and residents will be compensated justly according to the law.
Rationale: In many countries, resettlement has proven unsuccessful and informal settlements are often relocated
to peripheral areas and far from urban centers which is not a just compensation. Resettlement as a result of
redevelopment should provide housing in areas with access to job markets, transportation and urban amenities.
The 2006 Iraq Housing Market Study notes that proximity to work remains the most desirable characteristic of
a neighborhood followed by social services (family and kinship included) and familiarity of the area. This must
be taken into account when designing redevelopment projects. The integration of affected households into the
planning process through stakeholder participation will contribute to the design of appropriate resettlement
projects.

housing policy implementation

implementation strategy


Improving the performance of the housing sector is a complex undertaking that requires many different,
ultimately complementary initiatives. The underlying approach for implementing the Iraq National Housing
Policy is to improve the operating environment at higher levels of government while simultaneously formulating
and testing pilot projects at the local level. Illustrated in the figure below, this approach will both set the stage for
sustainable development of the housing sector over the long term and begin to meet pressing housing needs from
the earliest stages of policy implementation.

The sector reform component, which will be implemented largely but not entirely at the national level,
will work along two related tracks: institutional reform and regulatory development. Laws and regulations will be
drafted and/or revised to enable the private sector to produce housing, shift the public sector into its new roles,
and unblock flows of key housing inputs such as land and finance. At the same time, public-sector institutions
will be “retooled” to fulfill their new roles through structural and procedural changes as well as human resources.
Institutional reform and regulatory development are treated in greater detail in following sections.
At the local level, pilot projects in key areas such as infill housing development and public-private
partnerships for development of new subdivisions will be undertaken to test and verify the innovative approaches
contained in the policy. Successful projects will be rolled out to other locations around the country. Critical to
the success of both sector reform and pilot projects will be communication and promotion. The policy represents
a paradigm shift from top-down housing provision to an enabling approach in which government regulates the
sector and private companies produce most of the housing. Engaging private sector firms to build housing, lend
money for housing development, and/or extend and manage shelter-related infrastructure will require extensive
promotional efforts to “get the word out” on the new approach and to convince them that rewards outweigh
risks. Another cross-cutting component is Action Research, in which key topics will be the subject of further
examination in order to refine policies and/or implementation mechanisms over time.
It is anticipated that the main actions of the housing policy can be undertaken within a five-year period.
While it will take longer to achieve the policy’s objectives, it is possible at least to begin all of the major initiatives
before 2015 in order to begin reaping the benefits of a rationalized, productive housing sector that increasingly
meets the needs of the people of Iraq. This does not mean that reform is expected to be achieved overnight. On the
contrary, the overall shift from public sector to larger-scale private sector provision of housing should be gradual,
taking place over a number of years as the capacity of the private sector improves in response to growing housing
demand in an increasingly secure, economically vital Iraq. Similarly, housing lending by commercial banks is not expected to grow at an exponential pace. The sooner the commercial banks enter the market in a substantial way,
the better. But given the long time required to reform the legal framework, it is likely that many banks will stay
on the sidelines until the necessary guarantees and avenues of recourse are in place. The policy adopts this gradual
approach not because changing slower is better, but because it is more realistic to expect changes to take place at
a gradual pace.


institutional reform


The institutional and regulatory framework of post-war Iraq is a work in progress. While the constitution
establishes clear guidelines for the exercise of many powers, the laws and regulations related to many key economic
activities are still in the process of being defined. This is the case for housing. There is no overarching housing
law, and the ways in which housing-related institutions will exercise their new responsibilities in future have not
yet been specified.
The inchoate nature of the housing sector represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Iraq. On
the one hand, there is a lot to do in order to effect the transition to an enabling framework for private sector
production of housing and housing inputs. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to “get the framework
right,” establishing a strong and well articulated foundation on which the sector can build for generations to
come. The evolution of the housing sector depends not just on the content of this housing policy and the quality
of its execution, but on the larger changes and developments in Iraqi society. The implementation plan for
the housing policy is built on the assumption that the security situation will continue to improve and that the
national economy will continue to recover in the short and medium term.
It is important that the new Housing Policy be implemented with the full and visible support of the
top level of the Iraqi government. To this end the policy reform process will be overseen by a high-level body
such as the existing but currently inactive Supreme Council for Housing under the direction of the Council of
Ministers. This body would meet periodically to review overall progress in implementing the new Housing Policy.
A technical support unit set up by the Ministry of Construction and Housing within the State Commision for
Housing will answer to the Supreme Housing Council and be responsible for the following:
•
Tracking progress in the sector in implementing the organizational changes, regulations, procedures,
and consultations necessary for implementation of the new housing policy.
•
Tracking housing production, rehabilitation, and home improvement activity across Iraq in relation to
the needs of various elements of the population, in order to 1) determine if the new policies are having
an effect, and 2) develop specific proposals for the Policy Unit to consider.
•
Assisting the governorates and other subnational government entities to set up their own monitoring
and technical support units to track housing demand and supply and formulate interventions to try to
achieve market equilibrium.
•
Monitoring and evaluating pilot efforts by the MOCH and by other ministries participating in the
implementation of the national housing policy.
As articulated in the Housing Policy Principles in Section 1, it is fundamental to the housing policy that
production responsibility shifts increasingly to the private sector. This does not in any way represent an abdication
on the part of government for outcomes of the housing sector, as has occurred in response to the enabling
approach in some countries. On the contrary, the public sector must move up the value ladder, assuming with
increasing effectiveness the role of leader and regulator of the housing sector, while opening up space below for the
private sector to come in and build houses, provide housing loans, manage infrastructure networks, etc. Under
the policy, the Ministry of Construction and Housing must strengthen its capacity to monitor the housing sector
and put into place the policy and regulatory changes needed to keep supply in line with demand, among other
objectives. At the same time, government will put into place the policy changes and do the required promotion to
bring more large-scale private housing developers into the market to increase production. Developers in this range
are expected to produce perhaps one-quarter of all housing in Iraq by 2020. Production by small and medium-
sized private builders and developers is also anticipated to increase dramatically in the next ten years as it becomes
easier to access land and get land serviced, on the one hand, and households can access housing finance more
easily, on the other.
At the same time, public sector housing contractors will focus their housing production activities more
sharply on the needy and vulnerable groups in society, such as the poor, refugees, and internally displaced peoples.
Overall production by the public sector is expected to decrease.

The figure makes the distinction between small-medium builder/developers and large developers
because the latter are under-represented in Iraq today and can make a much more significant contribution to
housing production in the future. But in fact there exists a continuum along builder/developer size. The enabling
approach should facilitate the emergence of private housing producers of all sizes, striving not only to promote
the involvement of more large developers, but also more medium-sized ones, so that eventually a broad range of
company sizes will be active in the housing market in Iraq.
The targeted evolution of the housing finance subsector is similar in that the public sector will move
up from the retail market to establish a secondary housing finance market, while opening the retail sector up to
commercial banks. At the same time, government will ensure the regulation of the housing finance market as part
of the overall financial sector. The following graphic shows the proposed deepening of housing markets and the
increased involvement of private sector lenders.


regulatory development


The policy and institutional changes set out in previous sections will require revision and extension of the
regulatory framework for housing. While the broad outlines of decentralization of urban management and
housing functions to subnational levels is defined in the proposed Provincial Law No. 21 of 2008, neither the
law nor the implementing regulations have yet to be put into effect. Regulations will be required for new modes
of housing production such as public wholesaling of land to private firms and public-private partnerships for
housing development. Operating versions of such regulations should be promulgated in the near term to allow
the design and implementation of pilot projects at the local level. The lessons learned from such projects will be
incorporated into future revisions of the regulations to make them more appropriately tailored to conditions on
the ground.
Another major axis for regulatory development will be in the area of housing finance, where a new
housing finance law and accompanying implementation regulations are required to ensure that lenders have
adequate access to assets in case of default on loans. This will require a comprehensive new law to provide for
foreclosure, repossession, and resale of collateral.
Rather than using one overarching Housing Law to regulate the sector, the Government of Iraq will
pursue a more incremental approach in which the regulatory framework for a number of different aspects of the
housing sector are changed through new laws or amendments to existing laws. This could include, for example,
a new housing finance law, implementing regulations to the new Provincial Law, an amendment to the existing
regulation on the State Commission for Housing, and other modifications.

I didnt read the whole thing .. but ya i thnk the ministry just wants a number ignoring everything else !

Governor of Baghdad: the agreement with the United Nations to build 50 000

http://www.baghdad.gov.iq/en/images/stories/yyyy.jpg

The governor of Baghdad,Dr.Salah Abdul-Razzaq announced an agreement with the United Nations to build 50 000 housing units for the displaced families and the squatters on state land.
Dr.Abdul-Razzaq in a statement reported by his press office said:" It has been agreed with the United Nations to allocate 300 million dollars to build 50 000 housing units for displaced and squatters on state land, "

Noting that the Governorate has allocated land for the construction of these units. He pointed out to the implementation of a similar project in the province of Diyala to the construction of eight thousand and 500 housing units. "He emphasized that the governorate has an integrated program and plans to eliminate the housing crisis and the establishment of housing units, either through reliance on the governorate budget or the investment project .. pointing at laying the foundation for three housing projects in Baghdad.

On the other hand,Dr.Abdul-Razzaq,said "an extended meeting held in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers included representatives of the Ministries of Housing, Municipalities,transportation, relevant officials in addition to the governorate of Baghdad,Baghdad Provincial Council,the Secretariat of the capital and security leaders to promote the urban and the service reality of Baghdad,explaining that the meeting dealt with developing a plan extend to six months to upgrade the services and overcome the red tape and speed up project delivery and the lighting of the streets, especially the important ones such as Rashid,Abonwas,Sadoun and Jimhouriya Streets,the reduction of concrete barriers in addition to the maintenance of bridges, garages and improve building facades.

once again. the government makes a hodge podge, disorganised and uncoordinated attempt at solving the housing issue for the poor. with each department doing what it wants to do... without any holistic approach.

Governor of Baghdad: the establishment of residential complexes for the low-income citizens.


Dr. Salah Abdul-Razzaq Governor of Baghdad briefed on the preliminary designs which were presented by (PeaceBoat) company for the construction of residential complexes for the low-income citizens .Governor of Baghdad confirmed

the importance of housing projects in easing the burden on the citizen in facing the housing crisis, adding that the governorate made deliberate plans to eliminate the housing crisis, declaring that it was allocated 25% of new housing units for the poorer classes which are built by the Iraqi government or by investment companies, pointing out that the government and the governorate will bear the costs of purchasing the housing units from the investor, and is distributed free of charge for the classes mentioned. He also stressed that the governorate is currently negotiating with international companies for the implementation of major housing projects in different parts of Baghdad.

Private Funding Needed to Build 2.5m Homes
Posted on 29 November 2010. Tags: Housing
Iraq’s housing fund is falling short of its goals and will struggle to raise fresh capital after spending more than two-thirds of its budget, its director said in an interview with Bloomberg.
The fund, which started in 2005 with 300 billion Iraqi dinars ($257 million), has spent 210 billion dinars building 14,000 homes in Iraq, Khairi F. Awn said at the Iraq Housing Development Summit in Amman, Jordan.
“We are far away from achieving our goals,” he said. “A crisis of this size can’t be resolved by any government, even using all its resources. The private sector and foreign investment have to be there to resolve the problem.”
Iraq’s Housing Minister, Bayan Dizayee, said on Monday that the country needs 2.5 million homes to be built by 2015. Awn estimates that 300,000 homes must be completed every year to keep up with the increase in population.
Raising capital is the main issue facing the fund, which provides loans to government employees and retirees as well as financing developments, Awn said. Selling bonds is “out of the question” because of legal hurdles and the wait for Iraqi’s new government to be formed, he said.
“The fund was developed in a rush,” he said “The law was weak and the budget was not big enough to help achieve one of our main goals, which is providing financing for projects,” Awn said.
In March, Iraq’s Council of Ministers approved plans to build one million apartments from 2010 to 2014 for lower -and middle -income families.

question is, are they actually going to heed and listen to the recommendations in the HABITAT report? or keep their heads in the sand and refuse to change the laws...

Baghdad needs $100 billion for new homes: mayor


By Aseel Kami and Jason Benham
BAGHDAD | Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:28am EST
(Reuters) - Iraq needs an investment of $100 billion under a plan to build a million new homes in the capital and meet a shortfall in residential property for its growing population, Baghdad's mayor said on Monday.

An eight-month delay in forming a government after a March election has deterred many foreign developers from entering Iraq to take advantage of efforts to rebuild its capital, Saber al-Issawi told Reuters in an interview.

"They were afraid of the critical political situation, so there was some inaction, anticipation and waiting until the government is formed," Issawi said.

Last week President Jalal Talabani formally asked Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to form a government, giving him 30 days to choose a cabinet from Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish factions.

Issawi said that around 80 percent of the total figure would come from investors and 20 percent from the government.

Baghdad has earmarked $1.5 billion for residential and infrastructure spending in 2011 but this figure has yet to be approved by the government and could be revised lower, he said.

Iraq faces an acute shortage of houses after years of war and sanctions and needs 2-3 million new homes. Of the country's estimated 30 million population, some 7 million live in Baghdad.

Baghdad will invest $10 billion over 10 years to build 150,000 homes in the capital's sprawling Sadr City slum, one of the main projects the government is focusing on. Sadr City is home to almost half of Baghdad's population.

Issawi said the government would hold a tender on December 9 to build 82,000 homes in the district from 11 short-listed foreign developers.

CITY FACELIFT

Issawi said the government is also looking to spend around $850 million on giving the city a facelift ahead of the Arab League Summit to be held in March 2011, the first major event Iraq is to host since the invasion.

"It is a chance to develop some of Baghdad's face," he said.

Some $350 million will be spent on renovating seven former luxury hotels in the city, $300 million on streets and $200 million on the main road into the city from Baghdad's international airport, Issawi said.

The road, known by many Iraqis as the "Route of Death," was frequently targeted by militias during the height of the country's sectarian violence in 2006-07.

The government hopes a sharp fall in violence in the past two years, and a new investment law allowing foreigners to own land for housing projects, will entice foreign investors.

Iraq's National Investment Commission said earlier in November it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a South Korean group to build 500,000 homes all over Iraq.

Executives from Gulf Arab companies told the Reuters Middle East Investment Summit in October that while they see growing opportunities in Iraq, they retained a degree of cautiousness that slows plan execution.

امانة بغداد : استبعاد الشركات الايرانية من مشروع (10×10)
بواسطة: mano
بتاريخ : الأحد 19-12-2010 12:43 مساء



بغداد(الاخبارية)..كشف مدير العلاقات والاعلام في امانة بغداد حكيم عبد الزهرة عن استبعاد الشركة الايرانية من تنفيذ مشروع (10في 10).
قال عبد الزهرة في تصريح خص به(الوكالة الاخبارية للانباء)اليوم الاحد:تم استبعاد الشركة الايرانية من تنفيذ مشروع (10في 10) لعدم تقديم المشاريع بالشكل المطلوب.
واضاف عبد الزهرة:ان امانة بغداد تنتظر الانتهاء من فتح العطاءات واختيار عدد من الشركات منها تركية وتايلندية وغيرها لتنفيذ المشروع .
واشار عبد الزهرة الى ان موضوع الاختيار تحت الدراسة وتحليل العطاءات لاختيار الفائز منها من خلال اللجان المشتركة لرفع الموضوع الى رئاسة الوزراء.
ومن جانب اخر قال مدير العلاقات والاعلام في امانة بغداد في اجابة على تساؤل حول اسباب تأخر الامانة في انجاز مشاريع تدوير النفايات :ان مشروع تدوير النفايات يعد من المشاريع المهمة وان امانة بغداد لم تهمله ، لكن تاخير تنفيذه لعدم وجود البنى التحتية ومحطات تحويلية ومعامل فرز النفايات .
واكد ان مشروع تدوير النفايات تم العمل على التهيئة له قبل عدة سنوات وقد وصلنا الى مرحلة متقدمة، اذ تم التخطيط لإنجاز 9 مشاريع،5 في الرصافة و4 في الكرخ.
واضاف من المؤل ان يتم تنفيذ المشروع خلال الربع الاول من السنة المقبلة./انتهى/(3.ر.م)

^^ good move. if they fail to deliver, why give them more projects

The Sunni Endowment, during its 1st investment conference, offered opportunities on Saturday to build 100,000 housing units all over Iraqi provinces, on lands it owns, within a three-year period, according to a report from Aswat al-Iraq.
“The Endowment has already obtained a go-ahead from the Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC) to build these units as part of a national strategy to construct one million houses,” the Endowment Chief, Ahmed Abdul-Ghafour al-Samarraie, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“One of the problems facing the investment venture is that investors have difficulty getting allocated land in Baghdad, compared to other provinces,” he added.

A major project for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of west Baghdad’s al-Sadr City will employ between 75,000 and 100,000 people during its implementation period, and another 50,000, Baghdad’s Mayor, Sabir al-Issawi said on Wednesday.
According to the report from Aswat al-Iraq news agency, Issawi stressed that the project would comprise the construction of several multi-storey buildings, along with social, environment, and administration facilities, as well as hospitals, a university, schools, kindergartens, stadiums, sport and trade centers.
“The project, in its first phase, comprising the construction of 82,000 housing units, shall be implemented by an international company on an 18 square kilometer area east of al-Sadr city, which will be implemented by the High Committee for the Main Design of Baghdad city,” he concluded.
The project is valued at $11.3bn, and will be carried out by six Turkish contractors, includung Kur Insaat, Kazova Insaat, Iskaya AS and Kocoglu Insaat.

depends the most important thing is maintenance
will the inhabitant of that low cost house will he think of it as a home and maintain it or as a slum and leave the house to rot

depends the most important thing is maintenance
will the inhabitant of that low cost house will he think of it as a home and maintain it or as a slum and leave the house to rot

In shared blocks, in theory, there is a system whereby a maintenance fee is charged by a third party maintenance company who manage the repairs, cleaning and upkeep of the apartment blocks and surrounding areas (landscape and car parks). However in practice Iraqis don't pay the maintenance fees, therefore no maintenance happens. That is the problem with the Iraqi mentality, they look at TV footage of Dubai or other "modern" cities, but simply can't fathom that those shiny looking buildings and landscapes dont magically stay in shape without expense $$$. (and here I am actually not talking about illiterate street people, but contract managers at provincial investment commissions!)

Visitors: 165
The general manager of the investment Muthanna investment opportunities available in the province with the Executive Director of the Danish company Dan Cash, Mr. Ali Al-Tamimi, where he made ​​the latter company's desire to invest in the housing sector through the establishment of a residential complex integrated services in the province.

Said Mr. Ali Al-Tamimi Managing Director of the Company and its officers in (the rationale behind the Koppen), said his company plans to invest in the province for its potential to help the success of investment in various sectors, especially the housing sector.

For his part, said Director General of the need to maintain to build thousands of housing units to contribute to solving the housing crisis faced by the province and provide jobs for the unemployed.

The Muthanna Investment Commission had earlier announced the availability of investment opportunities to build (22) a thousand housing units are distributed on the status of the province and districts to solve the housing crisis at the Muthanna

Visitors: 220
After the success in the field of construction of housing units in the governorates of the Kurdistan region and a number of other provinces Company has expressed willingness to create a Star Scheinin housing complexes in the province of Muthanna.

This came after the visit, organized by the delegation from the company to Muthanna Investment Commission under the chairmanship of Mr. Nizar Abdel Qader, head of one of the company, who said about the possibility of building (1400) housing units distributed among the districts and the areas of maintenance are performed with the latest global designs adopted.

Adding that the company will present three models of buildings of varying sizes and prices will be determined by the appropriate mechanisms for the sale of such units through direct sales or a way that the monthly installments.

The company referred to Scheinin Star classified among the largest companies specialized work of the Iraqi general trading and real estate investments that have already done considerable work including the construction (60) villas and residential complexes in the province of Sulaymaniyah, in addition to other works in different parts of the country.

For his part, The Director General of Al Muthanna Investment Yasiri just inside the body is ready to provide all facilities and privileges of the company and facilitate its entry to maintain and complete the formalities with the relevant departments

Iraqi govt. to construct seven housing units in 2011
29/04/2011 10:07

(AKnews) - Iraqi minister for reconstruction and housing said throughout 2011 some seven housing units will be constructed in seven Iraqi provinces. The flats will be allocated to 12,600 families in installments.

Mohammed Daraji told AKnews Thursday the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has ordered to create the units in Kirkuk, Diyala, Basra, Nineveh, Karbala, Salahaddin and Baghdad to ease the housing crisis.

Each unit will comprise 600 three-floored flats, each constructed on 128 square meters area. There will be three rooms in each floor. All the basic services as school, hospital, electricity, mosque, etc will be provided for the units.

The project, designed by the ministry, is expected to be completed by September, Daraji added.

The flats will be issued to the employees, the families of martyrs, and to a number of people whose daily income is less than 20 US Dollar. The customers are offered to pay in long-term installments while they may also benefit from governmental housing loan.

Those who have benefited form the government housing projects will be excluded if they apply to buy the flats.

Reported by Karzan Karim

correct my maths.

600 units per "estate".
7 estates.

600x7 = 4200 housing units (nothing special, the housing ministry was building an average of 3-4000 units for the past few years, and its wholly inadequate, already discussed on this forum last year)

how do they plan on housing 12000+ families in them? 3 families to a flat?

and since the "LOW COST housing needs" are about 2M units... at this "great rate they will meet the current LOW COST housing shortage in the year 2488.

Revealed the Iraqi Planning Ministry of the existence of efforts to build homes distributed free to residents who live in slums in a number of provinces of the country., "Said Planning Minister Ali Yousef Shukri said that" the Council of Ministers signed a contract with more than a foreign company and the Organization of Alhbtat (EU) to build housing and low-cost distribution free of charge to citizens who do not have housing. "Shukri was speaking during a meeting of mayors in the number of n the provinces, held at the headquarters of the Baghdad governorate.
He explained that "civilization civilized urban planning is of the utmost importance and the basis of this understanding of the Council of Ministers has issued many decisions, including the inadmissibility of the division of land and agricultural real estate and fragmentation of the agricultural land turned into housing."
The reports and studies by non-governmental organizations, and international companies, the need for Iraq to 20 years to exceed the housing crisis is suffering, in the time, the Ministry of Housing that Iraq needs to be two and a half million units to overcome the crisis. Iraq has suffered from infrastructure crumbling as a result of wars continuing and the economic blockade, while influenced the previous laws after 2003 and overlap of powers between the ministries and independent bodies and the security situation on the implementation of some projects of housing. The governor of Baghdad, Salah Abdul Razzaq during the conference "in preparation for the summer has to maintain the opening of a water project hope in the laboratory card 1000 cubic meters in time, as the distribution of 100 cars pelvic water is ready to provide drinking water for any area or village may be exposed to water scarcity in the province of Baghdad. "He called the governor of Baghdad and the Ministry of Finance launched 50% instead of 30% of the budget for the development of regions after ratification by the House of Representatives . The Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works of Iraq late last month from the agreement with the United Nations to build 45 thousand housing units and low cost in areas west of the capital Baghdad.

Original in Arabic; http://www.albaghdadia.com/n/economy/27325-2011-05-06-08-41-12.html

^^ Great news

Al Maliki to launch the project: Housing for every citizen at cost price
2011-12-26


Nuri al-Maliki Iraqi Prime Minister approved on the five-year housing plan, titled (a home for every citizen). The reporter said to (Al-Zaman) in Baghdad that the first phase costing two billion dollars and include construction of 12 large residential complex.

The Housing Ministry said it was preparing the Iraqi high-quality designs for the completion of new housing projects. It will be distributed in a number of provinces including Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, Anbar and others. It does not have any information about foreign investments in the projects. However, government sources said the new housing will be available to all citizens who have no housing at cost price and that will be sensitive to the incomes of employees in particular.

The Ministry added that the project includes retail with 20% discount of the value of housing. The government did not announce a specific date to start the project but it promised that it would be the beginning of the New Year.

Ministry of Immigration finishes 250 low-cost houses in Kerbela
1/2/2012 8:05 PM


BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Ministry for Immigration and the Displaced completed construction on 250 low-cost houses to help bring back families to Karbala province, within its plan to assist them in their difficult conditions.

Karbala Ministry's branch director Mohammed Hussein said, in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq, that these houses were given by the UNHCR, in cooperation with I.S.H.O.

He added that 205 families benefited from this projects, in addition to 20 families coming from abroad and 25 poor families.
RM (TP)/SR

Rotondo Weirich Enterprises (RW) through its setup in the UAE, RW Middle East, has built its first modular precast villa, in Southern Iraq.

The 225 sq m villa which is located in Samawah City in Al Muthanna Governorate, demonstrates the technology and benefits of fast track precast modular concrete homes versus other forms of residential construction in the Gulf region, such as precast panels or traditional masonry construction.

“Imagine assembling a secure, sustainable, villa in just one day, allowing for thousands to be built in half the time of traditional masonry construction. That’s exactly what we have done,” said Ahmed Halet of RW Middle East.

The company shipped the formwork from US, and specialised supervisors temporarily moved to Samawah City to manage and train local Iraqi workers in module construction.

All materials and equipment used to build the villa were procured locally, a statement from RW said.

“Developers are finding RW’s precast modular construction to be an ideal fit for building in the Middle East. By producing the modules onsite, the time and risk usually present when transporting modules from a factory to the site is removed,” Halet said.

Once pulled from the mold, the pieces are erected into place, and finishing begins. Schedules are drastically reduced, there is minimal waste, significant cost savings, and the result is a sustainable, durable, and secure product, he said.

“Precast modular construction is the right fit for new large scale housing due to the fast paced construction, strength, and durability of the materials and technology used,” said Steve Weirich, president and CEO of RW. “Once a project has been slated for construction, one four-bedroom villa can be produced per day per set of formwork.”

The model villa is complete with interior finishes, electrical, and plumbing, and is open for demonstration and viewing purposes, the statement said.

The company’s vision is to produce thousands of the modular precast villas to provide high quality, affordable housing for citizens of Southern Iraq. It intends to expand construction activities to other areas and countries in the Middle East.

http://mms.businesswire.com/bwapps/mediaserver/ViewMedia?mgid=314107&vid=4

http://www.rotondoweirich.com/uploads/images/Iraq/Finished%20Villa.jpg

http://www.rotondoweirich.com/uploads/images/Iraq/exterior2.jpg


“Precast modular construction is the right fit for new large scale housing due to the fast paced construction, strength, and durability of the materials and technology used,” said Steve Weirich, President and CEO of RW. “Once a project has been slated for construction, one 4-bedroom villa can be produced per day per set of formwork.”


With 500 workers and 20 sets of moulds, you could build a 400 high quality, low cost houses a month.

^^ Wow, thats really great

^^ amazing idea! this should be implemented all over iraq!

prefab is what we need to solve this urgent problem.

BTW, a chinese company visited baghdad that plans to build prefab tower appartments.. sorry i cant find the video on the web, but it was on al-iraqia sat channel

It's simple and good looking. More of that in the smaller cities!

ABU DHABI(Zawya Dow Jones)--Iraq's minister for construction and housing said Monday his country is expecting to spend $9.8 billion on construction between 2012-2016 as the country's oil revenues are expected to soar when production doubles by 2016.

"We are planning to spend $5.8 billion on roads and bridges and infrastructure for 2012-2016 and $4 billion for housing; so $9.8 billion in total," said Minister Mohammed Al Daraji.

The minister added: "Our budget will be doubled by 2016 as oil production increases to 6 million barrels a day."

The minister said he expects his country to close tendering for a $250 million housing project in Shatt Al Arab, Basra, in two or three weeks.

ABU DHABI(Zawya Dow Jones)--Iraq's minister for construction and housing said Monday his country is expecting to spend $9.8 billion on construction between 2012-2016 as the country's oil revenues are expected to soar when production doubles by 2016.


Only? We really should be spending $9.8 billion every year not throughout 4 years.. since our yearly budget is +$100 billion!

i doubt they will even spend 10% of the amount they announced anyway!

a new tender for Wassit province (al aziziya).


Detail of description of the project
Building residential complex multi stories’ ( four stories ), with two samples of residential Buildings type ( A & B ) type A( 2 bedrooms + 3 ) = 23 buildings ( 276 apartments ) which consist of three apartments in the floor ( two apartments contain 3 bedrooms with area ( 153 M2) and apartment contains two bedrooms with area ( 136 M2 ), type B( three bedrooms ) = 41 buildings ( 328 apartments ) which consist of two apartment in the floor with area ( 150 M2 ) .
The total Sum of apartments = 604 apartments .
Also the residential Complex contains of public building ( primary schools consist of 18 classrooms , intermediate school consist of 12 classrooms numbered (2), markets ,health centre ,administrative building ,mosque , 1 guard rooms , with services network ( drinking water and firing, rains water, heavy water, inside and outside electric nets, telephoning ) outside working site of streets pavements roads and parking ) And landscape (rest-arenas-spaces to organize gardens-a forestation-furniture ... Etc .

ABU DHABI(Zawya Dow Jones)--Iraq's minister for construction and housing said Monday his country is expecting to spend $9.8 billion on construction between 2012-2016 as the country's oil revenues are expected to soar when production doubles by 2016.

"We are planning to spend $5.8 billion on roads and bridges and infrastructure for 2012-2016 and $4 billion for housing; so $9.8 billion in total," said Minister Mohammed Al Daraji.

The minister added: "Our budget will be doubled by 2016 as oil production increases to 6 million barrels a day."

The minister said he expects his country to close tendering for a $250 million housing project in Shatt Al Arab, Basra, in two or three weeks.

Any info we can get on that?

The governor of Wassit, Mahdi al-Zubaidi, laid the cornerstone on Friday for a 31-billion-dinar ($26 million) project to develop residential areas in the city of Kut.
According to the report from Aswat al-Iraq, the project will be completed within 720 days by a Polish company.

The governor of Wassit, Mahdi al-Zubaidi, laid the cornerstone on Friday for a 31-billion-dinar ($26 million) project to develop residential areas in the city of Kut.
According to the report from Aswat al-Iraq, the project will be completed within 720 days by a Polish company.

Good news, but I don't think this is low-cost housing or even a housing project at all. It's just redevelopment of areas, building roads, fixing pavements etc. right?

Should be in the other thread..

Contacts to build 200.000 housing units for needy people, Maliki
6/17/2012 5:56 PM

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Premier Nouri al-Maliki disclosed today that his government reached an agreement with a foreign country to build 200.000 housing units to be distributed on needy people and those affected by events in the country.

During his attendance the distribution of Sadr and Shu'la housing units on those were affected by terrorism, he confirmed that "the government is stressing on providing services, after few years of negligence".

He called to stop political wrangling, adding that "differences are ordinary, but should exceed the red lines connected with the services to be extended to the citizens".

Maliki criticized some circles that hinder the extension of services to the people.

He disclosed that contacts are made with a foreign country to build 200.000 housing units to be distributed on the needy and poor families, which will cover all provinces, but called to expedite the implementation of housing projects and distributing them

foreign country
scam project? :D

Yea it's weird that the country involved in the project is kept secret..

Or maybe the country is from an unknown place!

could be iranian LOL!

I have several questions, those are about housing projects.

1) how much time you have to start to the project after you get the license, is there any specific time limit that government take your license back if you don't start to the project? If there is any, does this time limitation start from the date you stated that you will start or the date you get the license.

2) how much time you have to finish the project after you get started to the project?

3) how many percentage of the project has to be completed in order to earn ownership of the land.

4) For example, an Iraqi company get a license and land allocated to this company, can the company pass his all rights to foreigner company on the land and licence.

Best regards
Best regards
Onur SEKERLISOY

I have several questions, those are about housing projects.

1) how much time you have to start to the project after you get the license, is there any specific time limit that government take your license back if you don't start to the project? If there is any, does this time limitation start from the date you stated that you will start or the date you get the license.

2 years from awarding the "investment licence"

2) how much time you have to finish the project after you get started to the project?

each project is unique. depends on what is specified in the investment licence.

3) how many percentage of the project has to be completed in order to earn ownership of the land.

In Iraq you cannot own the land, only get leasehold.

4) For example, an Iraqi company get a license and land allocated to this company, can the company pass his all rights to foreigner company on the land and licence.

I don't know about this. You need to consult with an Iraqi commercial lawyer regarding this topic.

Best regards
Best regards
Onur SEKERLISOY


best regards Onur.

Thank you for information.
I have one more question, for example your time limit is 5 year in investment licence, does the 2 year included in that time or your 5 year start after begin to construction. For example you get the licence you waited for one and a half year to start, is your remaning time 3.5 year or is it still 5 year after you start.

Maybe you'll find this useful:

http://www.investpromo.gov.iq/index.php?id=9

Edit: also this :

http://www.imariskan.gov.iq/index_en.htm

Onur. It really depends on the project and on the province in which the work is carried out. Note that each province will have slightly different rules/procedures/leniency with regards to investors and the time that is allocated. It is also possible to renegotiate some terms if they are unrealistic, once again that depends on which of the provincial investment commissions you are dealing with.

The only concrete information would be through a VERY GOOD lawyer that you need to find in Iraq to help your company navigate the maze of byzantine rules and "ad hoc" (for want of better word) regulations!

Thank you for all info. İ have one last question. My iraqi partners who get the investment license and the land, claims that they have Bern spent 4.2 million dolar for taxes legal fees and bribery. İs that amount normal? Land is 194000 m2 and 1632 houses Will be constructed on it. İ have time until tomorrow to pay this money, what do you suggest?

Thank you

Iraq launches drive to stem massive housing crisis
Investment commission chief says Baghdad needs 750,000 new homes to make up for massive housing shortfall.


Middle East Online

Around 57% of urban population lives in slum-like conditions

BAGHDAD - Baghdad needs 750,000 new homes to make up for a massive housing shortfall, Iraq's investment commission chief said on Sunday as he called for bidders for a new property development project.

Iraq is aiming to build one million new homes in the coming years, including a vast construction project southeast of Baghdad that officials hope will provide new housing for 600,000 people.

"Baghdad now needs 750,000 more homes," Sami al-Araji told reporters.

Araji called for bidders for a new housing development project at a former Iraqi army military camp known as Al-Rasheed in southeast Baghdad.

The area is currently home to a small Iraqi army base, as well as a refuse dump where poor families have built make-shift accommodation.

Araji hopes that up to 70,000 apartments and 5,000 independent houses will eventually be built there, along with sports and entertainment facilities, shopping and medical services.

After decades of war, sanctions and under-investment, Iraq is experiencing a major housing shortfall, and the difficulty in finding a home was one of the reasons protesters demonstrated nationwide last year.

Around 57 percent of Iraq's urban population lives in "slum-like conditions", according to a report published by the United Nations in 2011.

The report noted that 13 percent of houses in urban areas have more than 10 people living in them, with 37 percent holding three or more people per room.
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=53506

محافظة ميسان تشهد قريبا افتتاح مجمعيين سكنيين بكلفة 40 مليار دينار لكل منهما
أعلن وزير الاعمار والاسكان محمد صاحب الدراجي أن محافظة ميسان ستشهد انجاز مجمعين سكنيين خلال العام الحالي هما مجمعا ميسان1 و ميسان2 بكلفة 40 مليار دينار لكل منهما.
وقال الدراجي انه سيتم انشاء مجمعين سكنيين في نيسان خلال هذا العام ، الاول يضم 50 عمارة سكنية بمجموع 504 شقة سكنية وقد صُممت هذه العمارات وفق نموذجين من العمارات السكنية ، هذا وذكر الوزير ان نسب الانجاز في هذا المشروع وصلت الى 94 بالمائة وبكافة خدماتها الى ذلك اعلن محافظ الديوانية سالم علوان عن المباشرة بتنفيذ مشروعين لشبكات الصرف الصحي بكلفة إجمالية تبلغ أكثر من تسعة مليارات دينار
http://www.alfayhaa.tv/news/economy/85671.html

Thank you for all info. İ have one last question. My iraqi partners who get the investment license and the land, claims that they have Bern spent 4.2 million dolar for taxes legal fees and bribery. İs that amount normal? Land is 194000 m2 and 1632 houses Will be constructed on it. İ have time until tomorrow to pay this money, what do you suggest?

Thank you

he is lying. don't pay it.

I mean how much profit will you make on 1600 houses? $10k per house (optimistically)? that's $16M.. so he wants you to give him a quarter of that amount upfront for "legal and bribes"? nonsense.

There are lots of investment opportunities in Iraq if you have the capital and capacity to build and without having to pay anyone $4M for "unnacountable" reasons.

ministry of construction and housing list of projects..

http://www.imariskan.gov.iq/view_projcets.php?start=10

housing for orphans in ThiQar (philanthropy project) :

7-edJvnoOjQ

Iraq offers citizens thousands of home loans

2012-12-03 By Khalid al-Taie in Baghdad

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3576/iraqhomesconstruction65.jpg
Workers rest near homes under construction in Baghdad. [Mohammed Khodur/AFP]

Since 2011, the Iraqi Housing Fund has more than doubled the number of housing loans it has approved, bringing the total to about 39,000, officials said.

The fund, initially founded in March 2005, granted about 18,000 housing loans to Iraqi citizens before it was officially ratified under Law No. 32 of 2011, the fund's general director Burhanuddin al-Bassam told Mawtani.

Since then, "we made a major leap in the number of loans approved", he said, adding that since the new legislation came into effect, around 21,000 new loans have been granted.

"In previous years we processed dozens of citizens' applications for loans every day," he said. "But now, the numbers range between 700 and 800 applications and up to 2 billion dinars ($1.6 million) in loans every day."

Every year, the government uses as much as 200 billion dinars ($170 million) from the approximately trillion-dinar housing fund ($858 million) to cover the cost of loan applications and help citizens with limited income build their own housing units.

"We set our ambitions to provide citizens with 25,000 loans or more per year, to proactively participate in national efforts that aim to end the housing crisis", said the fund's deputy general director, Ali Hussein.

Before the ratification of the housing law, loan amounts ranged between 18 million dinars ($15,500) and 25 million dinars ($21,500), he told Mawtani. After the law's enactment, the ceiling was raised to 35 million dinars ($30,000) for Baghdad residents and 30 million dinars ($25,800) for those living in other provincial centres, and in districts and sub-districts.

Officials submitted a proposal to the government that seeks to increase loan amounts to 50 million dinars ($43,000), he said, in order to enable applicants to meet the expenses associated with building their housing units.

A 'VITAL SECTOR'
The fund's responsibilities also extend to partnership in financing housing projects carried out by local and foreign investment companies throughout the country.

"This year, we took part in financing 15 housing compounds, including two in the al-Ameriya and Tajiyyat areas of Baghdad comprising 2,000 housing units," Hussein said. "The rest of the compounds were scattered throughout most provinces, with the numbers of housing units in each ranging between 300 and 20,000 units."

Hussein said work on some compounds has already begun, hoping these will be completed by the end of next year. Others are still in the design phase.

"These compounds will be built based on the latest international technical specifications, which include all the necessary services the citizens need, such as infrastructure facilities, schools, commercial markets and health centres," he said.

"We hope that next year, we will finance more housing projects, as we help finance along with investors the construction of 100,000 housing units per year and achieve the desired growth in housing, one of our most vital sectors," he said.

HOUSING CRISIS
Wihda al-Jumaily, a member of parliament who serves on the construction and services committee, spoke to the difficulties Iraqis face in financing their homes.

"Many citizens, especially those of limited income, do not have enough money to build a house because of the rise in construction costs," she told Mawtani.

"These loans would help them overcome the funding problem, and thus ease the housing crisis, as estimates indicate Iraq needs more than three million housing units," she said.

Al-Jumaily said the government needs "to increase the amount of funds allocated every year to the Housing Fund to enable it to serve the largest number of citizens through its loans and to strengthen its role in financing other housing projects".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQg4QtlUwMU

although this house is made in ksa. but it's about $40000 it's done fast and it looks amazing and the best thing about it is that this house has a modern toilet. not the ones that break your back

whilst I support rapid construction techniques... not all are equal. that video is a good example of how NOT to do rapid construction housing... not to mention the "techniques" and materials used...

maybe but i geuss it's better than the houses i have seen in iraq. mainly in nasriya they look bad and they break down in 5 - 10 years

@ 27:05
jbNhTvS3BJQ

the ministry stuff was fluff.

the news from basra is a bit more encouraging.

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6051/54756454933791842202814.jpg

Mosul

taken by Rasha Maulood

Baghdad

residential complex in Baghdad / Sabaa Abkar

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/baghdad-7bkar.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1baghdad-7bkar.JPG

residential complex in Baghdad / Saidiya

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/baghdad-saedeah.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1baghdad-saedeah.JPG

residential complex in Baghdad / Hayy AL-Jihad

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/baghdad-hayalghad.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1baghdad-hayalghad.JPG

Karbala

residential complex in Karbala / Alhaidariya 1

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/karbalahaedareah1.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1karbalahaedareah1.JPG



Najaf

residential complex in Najaf / Hayy AL-Salam (This is directly in front of the new 600 Bed hospital U/C)

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/najaf-hayalsalam.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1najaf-hayalsalam.JPG


Kirkuk

residential complex in Kirkuk / Binjha Ali

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/karkok-banjaali.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1karkok-banjaali.JPG

residential complex in Kirkuk / Sayada

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/karkok-sayadah.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1karkok-sayadah.JPG

Babil

residential complex in Babylon / Hilaa 1

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/babel-helah1.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1babel-helah1.JPG

residential complex in Babylon / Hilaa 2

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/babel-helah2.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/monjaz/1babel-helah2.JPG

AL-Anbar

Residential complex in Al-Anbar / Jbeil AL-Karaab

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/anbar-jobelkarab.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1anbar-jobelkarab.JPG

Residential complex in Al-Anbar / Haswa Shamiya

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/anbar-haswatashameah.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1anbar-haswatashameah.JPG

Residential complex in Al-Anbar / Anah

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/2anbar-anah.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1anbar-anah.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/3anbar-anah.JPG

Residential complex in Al-Anbar / Heet

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/anbar-heat.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1anbar-heat.JPG

Najaf

residential complex in Najaf / AL-Quds

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/najaf-kodos.jpg

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1najaf-kodos.jpg

Basrah

المجمع السكني في البصرة / الزبير

residential complex in Basra / Zubair

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/basrah-zober.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1basrah-zober.JPG

المجمع السكني في البصرة / الصبخ

residential complex in BASRA / Al-Sbouk

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/basrah-sobak.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1basrah-sobak.JPG

المجمع السكني في البصرة / القبله

residential complex in Basra / Qibla

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1basrah-keblah.JPG

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/33/basrahkeblah.jpg

المجمع السكني في البصرة / حي الحسين

residential complex in Basra / Hussein district

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/basrah-hayalhosayen.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1basrah-hayalhosayen.JPG

المجمع السكني في البصرة / شط العرب

residential complex in Basra / Shatt al-Arab

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/basrah-shatalarab.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1basrah-shatalarab.JPG

Mosul

المجمع السكني في الموصل / الاربجية

residential complex in Mosul / Al-arbjeeh

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/mosel-arbacheah.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1mosel-arbacheah.JPG

المجمع السكني في الموصل / الحدباء

residential complex in Mosul / Hadbaa

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/mosel-hadbaa.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1mosel-hadbaa.JPG

المجمع السكني في الموصل / مخمور

residential complex in Mosul / Makhmour

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/mosel-makmoor.JPG

http://alaskan.imariskan.gov.iq/images/potoga2013/1mosel-makmoor.JPG

Epic update haiderpass ! :D

Iraq aims to build stronger, cheaper, greener housing units
ECONOMY | 2013-04-24
The Iraqi Ministry of Reconstruction and Housing is taking steps towards changing the traditional way housing projects are built in Iraq by adopting new construction systems.

The ministry on April 10th unveiled three model residential units built using economical, quick and environmentally-friendly international methods, according to Ali Abboud, director of relations at the State Commission for Housing.

The new models were chosen by a technical committee, comprised of experts and specialist engineers drawn from ministry staff and other entities, from among several models submitted by 35 local and foreign companies to the ministry in a competition on economical housing, he said.

Abboud told Mawtani the systems used to build the winning models -- ICF, GRC and RENCO -- are manufactured with low-cost materials available on local markets, such as Portland cement, glass fibre reinforced plastic and polystyrene.

"These materials are characterised by long life and considerable capacity to withstand difficult climate conditions, such as high temperatures, wind, heavy rainfall and humidity," he said, adding that they are also non-flammable, electrically nonconductive and resistant to insects, fungi and mildew.

"The concrete used to build these structures is so strong and cohesive it allows for the construction of multi-story housing units under the bearing wall system, which means the walls bear the building structure," Abboud said. "It is also an excellent insulator against noise, water and heat, and lowers the building's indoor temperature, thus reducing electrical power consumption by 30 to 40% in comparison to traditional structures."

From both an engineering and practical point of view, such concrete provides "a great opportunity for the flexible use of various modern architectural designs, allowing us to build highly aesthetic houses with varying technical specifications", he said.

LOWER COSTS, SWIFTER CONSTRUCTION
These economical housing buildings cost between 550,000 and 600,000 dinars ($472-$515) per square metre -- much lower than current costs, including the cost of transporting heavy construction materials to worksites, according to Abboud.

In addition, this type of construction "does not require skilled or imported labourers", reducing the time it takes to build housing units by as much as 50%, and providing for easy maintenance and part replacement in the future, he said.

He said his ministry will seek to adopt these new systems in place of the more common traditional methods.

GREEN HOUSING
Modern housing projects are also critical from an environmental point of view, said Amir Ali al-Hassoun, spokesman for the Ministry of Environment.

"We at the ministry support the adoption of such […] projects, which cater to environmental conditions and considerations, through the use of environmentally-friendly building materials to curb pollution and waste from the use of raw materials", he told Mawtani.

The application of such construction systems would lessen the reliance on building material plants, such as those that produce bricks, cement and reinforcing steel, he said, which would also reduce pollutants and waste products, particularly gaseous emissions.

There is a need to "encourage and reinforce a general policy of choosing economical construction methods to meet housing needs and maintain a balanced environmental system", al-Hassoun said.

Ihsan al-Awadi, a member of the parliamentary reconstruction and services committee, said the housing ministry's latest steps were an important move towards changing old methods.

"For many decades, Iraq faced a hard time keeping pace with world progress and development in the area of economical housing, as a result of the former regime's wars and policies," he said."Thus, we believe it is necessary now to open up to the modern global systems of building housing units using the latest construction and industrial alternatives."