Egyptian government begins subsidizing housing for civilian victims of terror attacks

CAIRO – 4 August 2022: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli attended Thursday the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and the Social Housing Fund to offer subsidized residential units to the injured and families of victims in terror attacks.

The same conditions and prices set for injured members of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Police, and 25th of January Revolution apply to civilian victims of terrorism.

In a similar context, application to getting a house and five feddans (one feddans equals 4,500 square meters) in Sinai began in December whereas the government exempts citizens of 70 percent of the price.

Those are located within the 17 Bedouin residential areas the government is introducing on the peninsula to improve the living conditions of its dwellers. Ten of those are located in North Sinai, while the rest lie in South Sinai.

The sum eligible citizens will pay is LE800,000 so as a 10-percent deposit will be first paid. Then, five percent will be disbursed four years later, followed by another 10 percent two years later. The remaining 75 percent will be paid over 20 years with zero interest.

Fifty percent of the project is offered to Sinai dwellers, while the other half is available to the rest of Egyptians. Within the first 50 percent, 10 percent are allocated to tribes' leaders, while within the second, 15 percent are allocated to officers, non-commissioned officers, and former soldiers who were deployed in Sinai anytime since 2010. That is in recognition for their role in combating terrorism on the peninsula, particularly the northern part.

Beneficiaries who would not commit any violations throughout a decade since the delivery of the house – spanning over 200 square meters – and the five-feddan agricultural land, will be eligible to apply on another five feddans. Also, adding one more floor to the house is permitted.

The 17 Bedouin residential areas will have a total of three agricultural service centers as they encompass 5,705 feddans, to be cultivated through deep underground water and 1,141 houses. That is in addition to schools, healthcare units, mosques, sports complexes, and markets.