Tripoli: A national agreement has been reached to revive stalled housing projects and tackle the housing crisis that has plagued Libya since 2011. The country's housing sector has been in a state of suspension and disruption due to security, economic, and administrative challenges during this period, leading to a significant housing gap and increased difficulties for citizens, particularly youth and low-income families, in securing appropriate housing.
According to Libyan News Agency, the National Program for Housing and Real Estate Development signed a cooperation agreement in Tripoli with the General Union of Cooperative Housing Associations in Libya. This agreement is part of efforts to revitalize the housing sector and complete stalled projects by enhancing partnership in implementing the national housing project. It will also activate the role of cooperative associations in receiving and organizing citizens' applications, and managing the procedures for allocating and distributing housing units as per approved regulations and mechanisms.
Faisal bin Dardaf, Director-General of the National Program for Housing and Real Estate Development, highlighted that the agreement aligns with the program's mission to address the housing gap and utilize the geographical spread of cooperative associations across cities and municipalities. This will support the implementation of housing initiatives, particularly social housing programs, aimed at various segments of society.
The National Program for Housing and Real Estate Development, with legal personality and an independent financial budget, is headquartered in Tripoli. It aims to address the housing crisis, complete stalled projects, and attract investment in real estate development to provide suitable housing for citizens and achieve urban development.
Bin Dardaf further stated to LANA that the agreement marks the beginning of institutional coordination between the program and the union, enhancing the role of cooperative housing associations as key partners in implementing the national housing project and finding practical solutions to the housing crisis in Libya.
The agreement also includes cooperation between the parties in implementing housing programs and initiatives, as well as coordination with the Central Bank of Libya and commercial banks to provide housing finance programs. This will aid in implementing the national project and facilitating citizens' access to housing.
Salem Belqasim Ibrahim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Union of Cooperative Housing Associations, emphasized that the agreement is a significant step toward activating cooperative associations' roles in executing housing projects. It involves receiving citizens' applications, organizing them, and participating in allocation procedures to ensure housing units reach those eligible according to approved mechanisms.
The national housing project aims to complete 150,000 housing units across Libya, ensuring fair distribution and access for those who deserve them. The General Union of Cooperative Housing Associations, headquartered in Benghazi, coordinates efforts among cooperative housing associations and represents them before official authorities, contributing to the cooperative housing sector's support and expansion.
Ibrahim noted that the agreement targets serving various eligible groups, including newlyweds, widows, and divorced women, among others facing housing difficulties. He stressed the project's success depends on necessary financing, requiring cooperation from the Central Bank of Libya and commercial banks to launch housing finance programs.
The agreement's signing aims to unify institutional efforts and strengthen partnerships to implement sustainable housing projects, reducing the housing crisis and meeting citizens' needs nationwide. Observers believe that success will hinge on timely funding, completion of regulatory frameworks, and concerted efforts from all relevant institutions to relaunch and complete stalled projects, potentially marking a new phase to address Libya's housing crisis.