Minister of Equipment and Housing Outlines Strategy for Social Housing
The Minister of Equipment and Housing, Salah Zouari, has affirmed that the ministry's strategy in the housing sector is based on consolidating the social dimension of the state's policy, with a focus on providing decent housing to all citizens, particularly those with limited and intermediate incomes, as well as eliminating unsanitary housing through a range of programs and projects.
Key Programs and Initiatives
Zouari explained that these programs include:
- The Housing Promotion Fund for employees
- The Specific Program for Social Housing
- The First Housing Program
- The National Fund for Housing Improvement
- The lease-purchase mechanism (or rental with option to buy) included in the 2026 Finance Bill, which will allow employees to acquire housing under favorable conditions
Support for Promoters and Low-Income Families
The Minister indicated that necessary measures have been prepared to make land available at a symbolic dinar for the project, benefiting public real estate promoters, as well as to support the Housing Land Agency (AFH) by giving it priority in acquiring land from the state or local authorities, with the aim of providing social plots for low-income families.
Ongoing Projects and Reforms
Zouari also announced the completion of the first phase of the study to revise the National Housing Strategy, as well as the launch of the revision of the National Territorial Development Master Plan, as part of the establishment of a new urban planning system that responds to economic and social transformations.
Urban Planning and Code Revision
The Minister added that the Ministry is also working to finalize the revision of the Territorial Planning and Urbanism Code and to accelerate the pace of developing master plans and revising urban planning plans. He highlighted that 482 urban planning plans are currently being developed or revised for the benefit of 298 municipalities, at various stages of progress.
