“The national housing plan has attracted a lot of attention in recent months. In Iran, during the Ahmadinejad government, the issue of affordable housing, known as “Mehr Housing”, was a major concern and received a lot of criticism. The national housing plan is neither old nor new. In a situation where the real estate market in the country has reached its worst recession in recent decades and the media reports on its deepening, it is appropriate to have a dialogue with one of the representatives of the parliament who is involved in this plan and is familiar with the housing needs in the country.

Alim Yarmohammadi, the representative of Sistan and Baluchestan constituency (Zahedan) in the 10th term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and a member of the Hope Faction, was the vice chairman in the first year of this term, a member in the second year, and the second secretary of the Construction Commission in the third and fourth years of this parliament

The national housing action plan includes what programs and visions? And which social classes or groups are targeted?

The national housing plan includes approximately 450,000 units across the country. Its target audience is the lower levels of society. However, in terms of land and construction, it must involve investors and then be made available to the people.

We previously had the Mehr housing plan. Based on its experiences and shortcomings, what measures have been taken in the national housing plan to avoid repeating those mistakes?

In my opinion, that plan did not have any issues. However, at that time, the issue of land value was not raised and was not taken into consideration. Today, land has gained special value. At that time, the discussion was about dilapidated areas and lands that are now part of the urban fabric. In the current situation, the capacity and price of these lands are used to consider this investment in construction and also to become a part of the government’s income. Banks also provide facilities to builders. Especially in the field of investment, where we face investors. At this stage, our main

You mentioned the price of land. In the current situation, the issue of a housing market recession is also raised. What is the relationship between this issue and the current recession in prices?

In my opinion, it doesn’t matter. In the market, people are moving towards and have a tendency towards luxury housing. People see these as investment goods that actually increase in value. People also direct their investments towards it based on the value of the national currency. There was a time when this direction and attention was towards currency and gold. Now it has turned into housing. Of course, in the current situation, housing is finding its true position. In fact, supply and demand have decreased based on the value of the national currency and prices are decreasing. We have recently witnessed a 30% decrease in prices during this period.

What role do urban revitalization and informal settlements have in this plan?

The value of their land is definitely preserved. In fact, this value has also increased. In my opinion, this plan allows these individuals to obtain permits for construction in floors (rather than just on the surface). These permits can also be effective in increasing the number of houses and have their own impact on the market. The construction industry can create widespread employment. We knew that this industry accounts for thirty percent of the country’s employment. But unfortunately, no matter what trick we try, we have not been successful. We only hope that this plan will bring about this prosperity.

The government is in charge of this plan. The question here is, through what channels does the parliament control the government’s performance in the housing sector?

We are ourselves in the region and have connections with the people and society. Therefore, we can convey the message of the people’s lack of housing to the government officials who are responsible for the issue of governance in this area and inform them. Since we entered the parliament and in previous terms, this issue has been pursued in the construction commission and the people’s message has reached the government officials. We convey the concerns of the people in this area to our dear ones in the government. At that time, the discussion was about the Mehr housing plan and now this is a new plan.

The private sector should also be involved in construction and equipment discussions. We need more than three million residential units to compensate for the balance in the supply and demand situation in this area.

Does the council have a mechanism for the government and private sector to not only look at this area from an economic and profitable perspective, but also have a social perspective towards achieving public justice?

We report on various housing-related units in the council. If we want to enter the discussion, friends come up with proposals and work moves forward based on them. But the government must take action beyond this. The government must bring a bill and address the problems of this sector. As it has been said many times, this issue must be addressed as a package. We cannot separate the issue of housing from the issue of currency and gold prices. This has also become a knot with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. On the other hand, in the areas related to housing construction, the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development is responsible. All of these units must be seen together.

But sometimes, the wealthy builders take control of the market instead of government institutions such as parliament and the state. Has anyone thought about preventing this from happening repeatedly?

The essence of a mass builder is to come and collaborate with the government. It is responsible for construction. Housing distribution, however, is under the authority. Of course, there was previously a section with them. In the current situation, the government must provide housing to those who are without housing, have not filled out form “J”, have not received housing, or to those who have recently married and have become in need of housing in general.

Do you believe that in the housing sector, government institutions should have control over land, housing, and rent prices or should it be left to the free market?

The government first wants to assess itself in this area. It will identify within the structures and boundaries and then plan accordingly within them.

Does it mean that the free market and private sector will have the least interference?

If they do the construction themselves, they will also have control over it. It is not possible to impose strict management on them, except in the form of plans related to tax issues. Taxes can be effective in this area.

Do you think taxes can be an effective lever in regulating the private sector?

We advanced a project in this field, but there were structural problems that prevented it. It was decided to increase the project’s efficiency and work on it. We do not take inspiration from mass builders or those who are involved in construction work or participate in investment. The market must do its own work and have its own structure. However, some considerations must be taken into account so that the government can have its own regulatory role. Private entities must also pay their taxes.

You said that you are directly involved in the issue. In your opinion, what problems exist in the housing and needy areas, considering this plan and the surrounding issues?

The sources of facilities must be identified. We will probably have difficulties in obtaining facilities. These should reach the hands of those who are involved in construction in a timely manner so that they are not delayed.
Another issue to consider is land ownership. The development of cities should not be directed towards a specific direction. A simultaneous structure must be provided for it. Currently, there is no such structure. There are many factors that are important and must be taken into account. If we do not consider these factors, we may encounter problems like the Mehr housing project. For example, we went and visited a Mehr housing project that was built in one of the provinces and it was five to six kilometers away from the city. No one was willing to go there. Now, those houses have been abandoned and the windows and doors have been taken away. A huge investment has been lost.

In this place, the budget is an important issue. How is this budget allocated?

The government must present its draft and mechanisms. If there is a need for amendments in the laws, we will take action. But if it is a legal issue, the government must bring a draft and we will review and solve its problems.

How has the creation of suitable housing in areas affected by floods and earthquakes progressed? Please explain the plans and actions of the parliament in this regard.

The government, along with the Housing Foundation, which is responsible for this matter, has signed a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding in most places. For example, ten thousand units are planned to be built in Sistan and Baluchestan province, and another ten thousand units in South Khorasan province. This issue exists in the outskirts of the country, rural areas, and places with a need for housing and low incomes, and it should overflow and move forward.

With the recent actions taken by the government and the presidency, the national housing plan can be effective and helpful. They are doing their job. In flood-affected areas and provinces such as South Khorasan and Sistan and Baluchestan, as well as the outskirts of the country, they are moving forward according to a specific plan. There are also experiences from previous flood and earthquake-affected areas and regions facing crises. The Housing Foundation also has a good business that can be operationalized. These experiences

Thank you for the time you have dedicated to the peace process.