As Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi marks two years since his debut announcement to build over a million housing units per year, the housing crisis deepens, affecting the very core of Iranian society.
State-run media, acting more as an extended arm of the regime rather than the voice of the people, consistently projects the nation’s woes. They relay tales of “endless inflation”, scarcity of necessities, and burgeoning budget deficits, without ever truly addressing the core causes of these issues. It is a narrative that chooses to skip past the role the regime plays in the struggles of its people.
Far from the image portrayed by Raisi, who touted his plan as a panacea for Iran’s housing woes, the reality is grim. The state-run Faraz website on July 29 lamented the dire state of affairs. The report highlighted the crippling financial impact of housing on Iranian families, with 70% of household income being siphoned off for rent. Astonishingly, the price per square meter of housing has more than doubled in the past two years.
In recent weeks, the housing crisis in Iran has proven particularly daunting. Tenants are crushed under its weight, leading to homelessness and, in some cases, even tearing families apart.
While the regime is quick to lay blame on “enemies of the system” and “global arrogance”, fingers aren’t pointed inward towards regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials. Regime-associated media outlets are equally reluctant to delve deeper into the true roots of the issue.
An alarming statement from the head of the housing department of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development underscored this disconnect. Rather than addressing the systemic failures contributing to the crisis, he audaciously suggested that a mere 25-square meter home should suffice for “minimum life” as reported by the Hammihan website on July 31.
It’s undeniable that the overarching issues stem from the corrupt practices of the ruling mullahs, evident in their inability to address a plethora of economic and livelihood crises over the years. The housing predicament is no exception.
Expert opinions, like those cited in a Hammihan article, shine a light on the regime’s mismanagement. There are accounts of the regime embarking on construction projects abroad, while its citizens grapple with housing shortages. Experts urge the regime to alleviate constraints and provide requisite financial tools to domestic builders.
All these factors serve to emphasize how housing has shifted from a basic necessity to a politically charged issue, casting a dark shadow on the nation’s future.
In an attempt to further obfuscate the situation, official sources, including the Central Bank and the Statistics Center of Iran, have ceased publishing housing-related statistics since December of the previous year.
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