The foundation stone has been laid for a residential housing project designated exclusively for low-income tenants in Ankawa, Erbil.

Saman Arab, Director General of Erbil Investment, told Channel8 that “the foundation stone has been officially laid for a 1,000-unit housing project for tenants.”

Four Years After the Original Government Decision

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) issued a decision four years ago to establish housing projects for tenants across cities and towns in the Kurdistan Region. However, no practical implementation took place following the initial announcement.

Construction Begins for Tenant-Only Housing

The current phase marks the implementation of that earlier decision. Work has officially started on the 1,000 housing units, which form part of the wider plan to deliver 6,000 residential units across Erbil.

Apartment-Style Development and Future Locations

Saman Arab explained, “Out of the 6,000 housing units approved for tenants in Erbil, the Ankawa Municipality has officially licensed 1,000 units. Foundation work has begun with heavy machinery active on-site, and the units will be constructed in the form of residential apartments.”

He added that locations and proposals for the remaining units have already been finalized. The additional developments will be located in the Baghlu Minara area along the 120-Meter Highway and in the Garasor neighborhood near Banaslawa.

Cost and Installment Plan for Applicants

According to the Director General of Erbil Investment, construction costs have been set at $350 per square meter.

The payment model is based on installments over a 15-year period, with expected monthly payments of approximately $163.

Financing Still Requires Central Bank Approval

Saman Arab stated that discussions have been held with the KRG Ministry of Finance and Economy to secure funding through the Housing Fund.

Although several financing proposals have been presented, any final mechanism requires official approval from the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI).

Eligibility Criteria for the Housing Project

Participation in the project is limited to individuals who have previously completed the online registration process for tenants.

Applicants must submit verified proof confirming their rental status, which will be reviewed and authenticated through real estate registration offices and electricity directorates.

Housing Demand Across the Kurdistan Region

On May 10, 2022, the KRG pledged to build 20,000 government-supported housing units for tenants across the Kurdistan Region.

By July 2022, a total of 90,162 citizens had submitted online applications. Despite strong demand, implementation has yet to begin in most areas.

The project comes at a time when the Kurdistan Region is home to approximately 200,000 tenants, including more than 90,000 in Erbil Province alone.