Significant Progress in Direct Housing Support
Adib Ben Ibrahim, the Secretary of State responsible for housing, recently highlighted the remarkable achievements of the Direct Housing Support Program, which has now benefited over 105,000 individuals since its launch. This program is a vital initiative aimed at facilitating access to housing and enhancing the purchasing power of Moroccan families. During a session of oral questions at the Council of Advisors, Ben Ibrahim revealed that the program has attracted a substantial number of applicants, with more than 218,000 requests registered nationwide. Notably, this initiative has successfully reached diverse segments of the population, including Moroccan citizens living abroad, who represent 24% of the total beneficiaries. Additionally, women account for 40% of the recipients, while young people under the age of 40 make up 52% of the participants.
The government official emphasized that a significant majority of beneficiaries have directed their focus toward purchasing homes intended for middle and low-income groups. Specifically, 60% of the participants have acquired properties valued below 300,000 dirhams, with a similar percentage receiving financial support amounting to 70,000 dirhams. This program has been instrumental in stimulating the housing supply in various cities and regions that previously faced shortages in social housing projects. Noteworthy locations include Fes, which topped the list of the most benefited areas, followed by Berrechid, Meknes, Greater Casablanca, Kenitra, El Jadida, Benslimane, and Settat.
Advancements in Housing Conditions and Urban Renewal
In the realm of combating inadequate housing, Ben Ibrahim confirmed that Morocco has made significant strides in its program aimed at eliminating slums. To date, 62 cities and urban centers have been declared free of slum conditions, positively impacting the living conditions of nearly 385,000 families. The pace of interventions has markedly increased, with the number of families benefiting annually rising from 6,200 to over 18,000. During the current governmental term alone, living conditions for more than 81,000 families have been improved.
The authorities are concurrently working to tighten monitoring to prevent the emergence of new slum settlements, as part of a broader goal to eradicate this phenomenon by 2028. Ben Ibrahim explained that the adopted approach has undergone a qualitative shift from “rehousing” to “resettlement,” ensuring better integration for beneficiary families and enhancing their living conditions. For instance, in the province of Skhirat-Temara, the situation of 23,450 families has been addressed out of a targeted 33,300 families.
Regarding buildings at risk of collapse, the government has conducted a national inventory that identified 53,728 structures, with 28,000 undergoing specialized technical assessments to evaluate danger levels and determine necessary interventions. Reports concerning urgent cases have been submitted to the relevant authorities for timely action. The Secretary of State underscored that urban renewal initiatives are a core component of governmental housing policy, aiming to rehabilitate deteriorated neighborhoods, improve access to adequate housing, and reduce vulnerability and social exclusion by integrating marginalized areas into urban frameworks and addressing social, economic, and urban imbalances.
As reported by pam.ma.
