Reconstruction reveals criteria for distributing one million plots of land and indicates new facilities for housing loans.
Reconstruction reveals criteria for distributing one million plots of land and indicates new facilities for housing loans.
8-25-2026
The Ministry of Construction and Housing revealed on Tuesday the mechanism for prioritizing applicants for the distribution of one million plots of land, based on eligibility criteria. The ministry also indicated that there are proposals to facilitate access to affordable housing loans.
Ministry spokesperson Nabil al-Saffar told the official Iraqi News Agency, as reported by Al-Maalomah News Agency, that “it is still too early to discuss including the land plots announced by the government as part of the one million residential plot initiative in Baghdad and the provinces in the Housing Fund loans program.” He explained that “the current priority is preparing the land, completing the requirements for handing it over to municipal institutions, and preparing and subdividing the plots.”
He added that “the next phase will involve developers and investors accessing the land to provide essential services, along with the announcement of priority criteria to include the most deserving applicants.” He noted that “one of the most important distribution criteria is that the applicant does not own or have any existing ownership of any land or housing unit.”
Al-Saffar emphasized that “housing finance in Iraq still requires additional government support, leaving a large number of citizens without effective access to real estate financing options.” He explained that “only two government entities provide financing: the Iraqi Housing Fund and the Real Estate Bank, with limited participation from private banks.”
He noted that “although some loans are available through the Housing Fund and the Real Estate Bank, and to a limited extent from public banks such as Al-Rasheed and Al-Rafidain banks, as well as some private banks, the volume of loans remains insufficient to meet demand.” He pointed out that “the production of housing units offered by banks is inadequate to meet citizens’ needs for long-term, affordable housing finance.”
He stated that “housing finance in Iraq needs support and development, especially in light of the initiative for one million residential plots. Therefore, the government must take further measures related to providing loans, particularly by simplifying government procedures and supporting citizens in owning a housing unit, as guaranteed by the Iraqi constitution.”
Al-Saffar explained that “although government lending institutions, such as the Iraqi Housing Fund and the Real Estate Bank, provide loans with favorable terms, supported by government budgets or Central Bank initiatives, and these programs have enabled tens of thousands of families to build and own housing units, they still suffer from a significant funding shortfall compared to the size of the national demand for housing.”
He added that “the government is striving to provide a favorable environment for private housing finance through legal reforms and incentives. Banking reforms can play a significant role in this regard in the future by promoting financial openness, which will improve access to affordable housing loans.”
He pointed out that “the proposed measures also include improving land registration systems, using electronic automation in issuing title deeds, and introducing risk-sharing tools, such as credit guarantees or long-term, affordable financing options, to promote lending so that everyone can benefit.”
Al-Saffar pointed out that “the importance of this lies in strengthening the housing finance system in Iraq, expanding access to affordable credit for families and developers, revitalizing public and private banking institutions involved in housing finance, developing innovative financial instruments, and stimulating private sector capital investment in the housing sector by increasing real estate financing, loan guarantees, and long-term financing options.”
He emphasized that “these measures will support economic growth, diversify revenue sources away from oil, and make housing finance more inclusive, thus contributing to social stability by enabling a wider segment of citizens to access government financing to build, purchase, or improve homes.”
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