The Ministry of Housing announced Tuesday that it will offer 15,000 housing units for rent across several governorates and new cities, days after announcing 5,000 rent-to-own units. The move marks a new direction for the social housing program, which has largely offered homes for purchase.
The ministry did not specify an amount for the rent, but said monthly payments would not exceed 25% of an applicant’s total income. It added that the remainder would be covered by an upfront subsidy.
Applicants must also be no older than 35. The initial lease will run for three years with the option of being renewed for three more.
A study published by the Built Environment Observatory in July found that average rent in Cairo reached 10,500 Egyptian pounds (about $210) in the second quarter of this year, placing a heavy burden on millions of families. Millions also face possible eviction after amendments to the old rent law, passed in August, set a seven-year deadline for ending those leases.
The ministry said applicants living in a home rented by them or a family member under the old rent-control law must apply for replacement housing through the government’s “Digital Egypt” online platform and agree to surrender the existing lease to the property owner.
In October, the government opened applications for replacement housing for tenants covered by the old rent law through post offices and an online form on the Digital Egypt platform.
The rental offering will include 8,464 units in governorates, 3,256 in new cities and 3,280 units built under the presidential Haya Karima (Decent Life) initiative.
The ministry said these units are separate from the 5,000 rent-to-own homes the New Urban Communities Authority previously said it was preparing to offer, also within a month.
