Habibollah Taherkhani, the Deputy Minister of Housing and Building at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, in a press conference today (Tuesday), referred to the impact of recent wars on the country's economy, stating that the decrease in households' economic capacity has made access to housing more difficult for people. He added that the housing issue is not solely related to the amount of supply and that the problems of the private sector must be addressed, as only 20 percent of housing supply is in the hands of the government.
Impact of Wars on the Housing Economy
Taherkhani continued by referencing the country's economic conditions over the past year and said: The country has experienced two imposed and unjust wars during this time, and their negative impacts on the economy, especially in the construction and housing sector, are evident. He also mentioned the record issuance of building permits in the year 1403, stating that the number of permits has reached about 523,000 residential units.
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Decrease in Investment in the Construction Sector
The Deputy Minister of Housing and Building, regarding the inclination to invest in the year 1404, said: Given recent developments, the willingness to invest in various sectors, especially in construction, has decreased. However, according to official statistics from the Statistical Center of Iran, the construction sector experienced a growth of 1.4 percent last year. Taherkhani emphasized that investment in new buildings has decreased, while the number of semi-finished buildings aimed at supplying residential units has significantly increased.
He noted the rise in construction material prices, stating: At the beginning of this year, the average price growth of many construction inputs exceeded 100 percent, which has led to an increase in housing prices. Nevertheless, part of this price increase has been adjusted, but its effects remain in the housing market.
Increased Difficulty in Accessing Housing
Taherkhani also pointed to the difficulties people face in accessing housing in metropolitan areas, stating: This issue is particularly acute in the capital. He emphasized that experimental policies have not been able to perform their functions effectively, and the increase in migration to metropolitan areas has raised the need and demand for housing.
The Deputy Minister of Housing and Building also referred to the growth of small families in the next decade, stating: This trend is due to changes in lifestyle and family structure, and it should be taken into account in future housing planning.
Government Commitments in Supportive Housing
Taherkhani further referred to the government's commitments in the area of supportive housing, stating: The government is obligated to fulfill its previous commitments regarding the creation of 850,000 residential units. He acknowledged that about 50 percent of these projects have not yet entered the implementation phase, and securing the requirements and building permits for the commencement of operations is essential.
Finally, Taherkhani emphasized that transferring land without preparation and infrastructure provision will not lead to housing provision, and land must be offered in a way that allows citizens to initiate construction operations.
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