Iraq Approves Measures to Advance ‘One Million Homes’ Initiative

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office Director General Ihsan Avadi said the Council of Ministers approved several measures on Wednesday to accelerate the “Vatan” housing initiative, which aims to provide 1 million homes. The decisions include procedures for transferring land ownership from relevant state institutions to municipalities. The cabinet also approved economic and legal frameworks for donor investors and investors contributing to infrastructure, Avadi said. He described land acquisition as a major administrative, legal and economic obstacle to similar projects over the past two decades. Avadi said the “Vatan” Initiative Steering Committee had held dozens of meetings with relevant institutions and prepared technical, economic and legal models, which the cabinet approved. The committee received the necessary authority and mandate from the council to proceed on land allocation. The government plans to announce next month the launch date and details of a digital application through which citizens can apply. Avadi confirmed that all stages of the initiative will be free of charge.