Syria Aims to Build 2 Million Homes by 2035 to Address Housing Shortage

Syria has announced ambitious plans to build or rehabilitate two million homes by 2035 to address its severe housing shortage and boost economic recovery. The initiative, confirmed by Imad Al-Masri, Syria’s assistant minister of public works and housing, will involve a mix of government investment, private capital, new partnerships, and foreign investment.

The Syrian government, through the General Housing Establishment, will provide land, while private investors will be responsible for project development and infrastructure. The strategy also includes reviving stalled projects and expediting the delivery of completed units in various regions, including the Damascus countryside, Homs, Hama, Latakia, Tartous, Aleppo, and Deir Ezzor.

Driving Factors for Housing Demand

There is a growing demand for homes, driven by new investment following Syria's removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, and the return of Syrians displaced by conflict. The current housing deficit is estimated at 1.9 million units by 2025, projected to widen to 2.5 million by 2030 if supply does not increase sufficiently. The country's existing housing stock is approximately 4.25 million units, with about 1.32 million sustaining damage during more than a decade of conflict.

Four-Pronged Strategy

The government’s approach to reducing housing shortages is multifaceted:

• Completing existing and stalled projects
• Repairing damaged homes
• Rebuilding severely affected housing units
• Adding new residential units

Foreign Investment and Development

Regional investors are showing interest in Syria's property sector. UAE-based developer Arada plans a $7 billion "UAE-style" mixed-use project in phases over 10 years, located west of Damascus. This development will include 11,000 homes, 500 hotel rooms, 1,000 serviced apartments, two schools, a hospital, offices, and retail units. Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar is also exploring investments up to $18 billion, with projects ranging from $5 billion to $7 billion on the Syrian coast and up to $11 billion in Damascus and its environs.

"You have the local current demand, which is very strong for good communities. And you also have Syrians living outside, who want to invest, or have a home or holiday home in the country. So that demand will continue to grow."

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, highlighted strong demand for quality housing from both local residents and foreign citizens abroad. The UNHCR estimates that over 1.7 million Syrians returned between December 2024 and April 2026, alongside 1.97 million internally displaced people returning to their areas, with housing scarcity being a primary obstacle to sustained return.