The Minister of Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy, Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, shared the results of the new direct housing support program, which started in January 2024. She revealed that more than 110,000 citizens have expressed interest in this program, highlighting that almost a quarter of applications come from the Moroccan community residing abroad (MRE), representing 26% of the total. In total, more than 35,000 people have already benefited from this support.
During the oral questions session in the House of Representatives this Monday, the minister specified that young people constitute 32% of the requests received, highlighting the growing support of younger generations for this program.
Concerning the distribution of support, 63% of beneficiaries received financial aid of 70,000 dirhams, while 37% benefited from direct support of 100,000 dirhams for housing.
Regarding the economic impact of the program, Mansouri indicated that the housing support program promoted the revival of the construction sector. This resulted in a 9.45% increase in cement sales, an increase in real estate loans of 1.7%, and a 7.2% growth in loans granted to real estate developers.
The minister also underlined that this program made it possible to extend the benefits to cities which had not yet sufficiently benefited from previous initiatives, such as Fez, Settat, El Jadida, Benslimane, Oujda, Berkane and Taza.
In terms of housing production, the minister revealed that Morocco produces nearly 113,000 units annually for the middle classes and those with limited incomes, including individual construction. For the year 2024, the objectives are ambitious: supporting the construction of 75,000 residential units, both in direct support and in social housing. However, current results are already beyond expectations, with 94,000 units supported, or 125% of the initial goal for the first year.
In another section, the minister reported on the successes of previous housing programs. Until November 2024, nearly 727,000 residential units have been completed and obtained their certificate of conformity under the 250,000 dirham social housing program, of which 680,000 have already been delivered. In addition, 30,000 completed units received their certificate of conformity as part of the low-cost housing program of 140,000 dirhams, the contractualization of which ended in December 2020.
« Concerned about guaranteeing the constitutional right of citizens to decent housing, the ministry has put in place an ambitious and integrated program (housing support) for the period 2024-2028 “, added the minister, underscoring the government’s commitment to meeting growing housing needs.
She specified that the new housing support program is designed to meet the needs of two specific social categories: the middle class and people with limited income. Thanks to this direct support, the program aims to reduce the housing deficit while involving the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, in this collective approach to improving access to housing in Morocco.
