Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, Minister of National Territory Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, revealed on Tuesday at the Upper House, that over 8,500 citizens have benefited from the Direct Aid to Housing program and successfully acquired their residences by April 19, highlighting the significant interest among Moroccans in the program, since its launch in January.
Direct Aid to Housing is a royal, state-funded program intended to improve citizens’ purchasing power to afford proper dwellings. Running from 2024 to 2028, the initiative offers financial assistance based on the value of the property. Houses worth 300,000 MAD or less will receive 100,000 MAD in aid, while those valued between 300,000 – 700,000 MAD will receive 70,000 MAD.
The committee in charge of the program has received over 65,000 applications from across the country. Approximately 90% of these applications meet the eligibility criteria and must complete the administrative procedures within 30 days, according to El Mansouri.
Out of the total number of applications received, 20% were submitted by Moroccans living abroad, while 38% were submitted by women.
The Minister underscored ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders, including the National Federation of Real Estate Developers, the National Council of Moroccan Notaries and Morocco’s financial arm (CDG) to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.
She also announced scheduled discussions with banks to further enhance implementation of the initiative.
The official explained that the relevant department within the ministry had implemented a new approach aimed at supporting the demand for housing, rather than the supply. This means that it is now focusing on assisting home buyers instead of real estate developers, as was done in previous programs that ended in 2020.
Launched pursuant to Royal Decree No. 2-23-350, the initiative also seeks to satisfy a wide range of housing preferences (apartments or single-family houses) expanding to rural areas.
Pursuant to agreements with various stakeholders, the Ministry has taken measures to guarantee the success of the program, including the creation of a digital platform to manage applications for assistance overseen by the CDG, the facilitation of procedures, digitalization, and minimization of processing times to guarantee appropriate help for eligible dwelling seekers.