Morocco is facing a growing phenomenon: that of “ghost housing”. According to estimates, more than 2 million apartments are unoccupied in the country. A figure that makes you dizzy, even though access to housing remains a crucial problem for some Moroccans.
Several factors contribute to this situation, including real estate speculation and investment in second homes. But one of the main reasons is the massive purchase of real estate by Moroccans living abroad (MRE). Attached to their country of origin, they acquire accommodation to stay there during their vacations or with a view to an improbable permanent return. But it is clear that these accommodations remain unoccupied for a good part of the year.
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Among the regions most affected by this phenomenon, Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima is in a good position. With nearly 334,000 empty apartments, or 15.6% of the regional real estate stock, it is in second position after Casablanca-Settat. The city of Tangier, in particular, perfectly illustrates this situation. Nearly 18% of apartments there are unoccupied, leaving entire neighborhoods almost deserted.
Faced with this problem, the government has decided to react. Last March, it set up a financial assistance program intended for first-time buyers. Substantial assistance which can reach 100,000 dirhams for the purchase of housing whose price does not exceed 300,000 dirhams. The objective? Facilitate access to property and support the real estate market. An initiative which seems to have found its audience, both among Moroccans residing in Morocco and MREs. It remains to be seen whether this measure will be sufficient to stem the proliferation of “ghost housing” and meet the real needs of the region’s residents.
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