Iraq - Recent

Iraq's major cities are grappling with a housing shortage as increasing numbers of people flock to urban centers in search of job opportunities.

In the capital city of Baghdad, the population has surged from three million in 2003 to over 10 million today.

The surging population has driven up local house prices, dealing residents a tough hand. Studies estimate that the housing deficit in the capital stands at around 30 percent.

"There are more work opportunities than in the other provinces. So they come to Baghdad from other provinces. The population density here is higher than in other places," said Mokhtarok, a local resident.

More than 3.5 million people are believed to live in slums across the country. Iraqi officials say that at least three million homes are required to alleviate the country's real estate crisis.

Efforts are underway to increase the supply of affordable housing. The Iraq Gate Complex, located in the center of Baghdad, is one of the projects that are being built with an aim to relieve the housing shortage.

"We are building a residential unit at a low cost but it guarantees the citizen a decent life. But we need support from the government to provide loans to citizens for the long term," said Beker Raouf, CEO of Amwaj Real Estate, developer of the project.

With a population growing at an annual rate of 2.5 percent, this increase is amplifying pressure on urban areas. The heat is on to keep building and put the nation's housing crisis to bed.

SHOTLIST:
Baghdad, Iraq - Recent
1. Various of traffic, buildings;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mokhtarok, resident (full name not given)(starting with shot 1):
"There are more work opportunities than in the other provinces. So they come to Baghdad from other provinces. The population density here is higher than in other places.";
3. Various of construction site; residential buildings under construction; workers;
4. Various of people at sales office of residential buildings; model of buildings
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Beker Raouf, CEO, Amwaj Real Estate (starting with shot 4):
"We are building a residential unit at a low cost but it guarantees the citizen a decent life. But we need support from the government to provide loans to citizens for the long term.";
6. Various of buildings, traffic.

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