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Egypt plans to deliver approximately one million residential units over four years under a proposed national housing programme estimated to cost EGP 1 trillion, as the government seeks to expand housing options for different income groups.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the initiative at the closing of Egypt Forum 2026 on Saturday, October 24.
The programme will involve private-sector developers and could include social housing, middle-income apartments, rental homes, rent-to-own schemes and accommodation for factory workers.
However, the government has yet to disclose how many units will be allocated to each category or provide a detailed implementation timetable.
Recommendations from the forum also called for involving the Tahya Misr Fund in implementing the programme and accelerating legislation to regulate Egypt’s real estate market.
Egypt Expands Rental And Rent-To-Own Housing
Rental housing and rent-to-own arrangements are expected to feature prominently in the government’s broader housing strategy.
During an urban development session on October 20, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi directed the government to work with the Tahya Misr Fund to construct 200,000 rental housing units, with both parties sharing the costs equally.
It remains unclear whether the proposed 200,000 units will form part of the new one-million-unit programme or constitute a separate initiative.
Madbouly said Egypt had built or was implementing approximately two million housing units in recent years, including developments targeting low- and middle-income households.
He also highlighted the role of rental housing in providing alternatives for people who cannot afford large deposits or long-term mortgage payments.
Expanding rental options could benefit young people, newly married couples and households with limited savings.
Government Opens 25,000 Rental And Rent-To-Own Units
Egypt has also announced a separate offering of 25,000 housing units under rental and rent-to-own arrangements, with applications scheduled to close on October 28, 2026.
The offering comprises 15,000 units under the Sakan Likol El Masryeen 9 initiative, administered by the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund, and another 10,000 units through the New Urban Communities Authority.
Of the latter allocation, approximately 5,000 units have been completed, while construction of the remaining 5,000 is planned over three years. The units are distributed across approximately 26 new cities.
The conventional rental component targets eligible low-income households, while the rent-to-own option provides a potential pathway to ownership subject to the programme’s conditions.
Under rent-to-own arrangements, occupants initially rent a property before potentially acquiring ownership. Whether rental payments count towards the purchase price depends on the specific programme terms.
The government has yet to announce whether additional rental or rent-to-own units will be included in the proposed EGP 1 trillion programme.
Egypt’s Housing Programmes Since 2014
Since Al-Sisi took office in 2014, Egypt has introduced housing initiatives targeting different income groups while pursuing urban redevelopment and the expansion of new communities.
The Sakan Likol El Masryeen, or Housing for All Egyptians, initiative remains a central part of the country’s affordable housing policy. Administered by the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund, it provides eligible low-income households with subsidised housing and access to mortgage financing.
Other programmes target different market segments.
Sakan Misr provides apartments aimed at middle-income households in new urban communities, while Dar Misr offers government-backed residential developments for a similar segment.
Jannah generally targets higher-income buyers than conventional social housing schemes.
Madbouly cited Sakan Likol El Masryeen, Sakan Misr, Dar Misr and Jannah among the programmes contributing to the government’s housing construction efforts.
Egypt has also pursued Beit Al Watan, which offers residential land in new cities to Egyptians living abroad. Buyers can develop the plots subject to applicable planning and construction requirements.
Together, the programmes provide different housing options, although eligibility requirements, prices and payment arrangements vary.
Government Redevelops Unsafe Settlements
Egypt’s housing strategy also includes relocating residents from unsafe settlements and improving conditions in informal urban areas.
Projects such as Al-Asmarat in Cairo and Bashayer Al-Kheir in Alexandria have provided alternative accommodation for residents affected by unsafe or inadequate housing.
The redevelopment of the Maspero Triangle in central Cairo has also involved relocating residents and providing alternative housing arrangements.
These initiatives differ from conventional housing allocations because they focus on replacing unsafe accommodation and improving living conditions.
Meanwhile, the government has continued developing new urban communities, including the New Administrative Capital, New Cairo, 6th of October City and New Alamein, supported by investments in roads, utilities and public infrastructure.
At Egypt Forum 2026, Madbouly reviewed urban development efforts since 2014. He said the country’s long-term development plan through 2052 included 39 new cities, of which 27 had been completed or were under development.
He added that an estimated 14 million to 15 million people lived in new cities.
However, the success of the new housing programme will depend partly on whether homes are affordable and accessible to employment centres, transport networks and public services.
Private Developers To Support Housing Delivery
The proposed programme envisages cooperation between the government and private developers to deliver social housing and accommodation for factory workers.
Private-sector participation could expand construction capacity by combining public-sector planning and support with private investment and development expertise.
Factory-worker housing could also improve access to accommodation near industrial employment centres, potentially reducing commuting pressures and helping employers attract and retain workers.
However, the government has not disclosed the number of units allocated to these categories, their locations or the financing arrangements for construction.
Implementation will depend partly on how responsibilities are divided among government agencies, the Tahya Misr Fund and participating developers.
Egypt Considers New Real Estate Regulations
Alongside the housing target, Egypt Forum 2026 recommended accelerating legislation to regulate the real estate market and clarify the relationship among buyers, developers and the state.
The recommendation comes amid continuing debate over transparency, contractual obligations and buyer protection in the property sector.
A clearer regulatory framework could establish more transparent disclosure requirements, clarify developers’ responsibilities and strengthen safeguards for property buyers.
However, the forum’s recommendation does not specify the proposed legislation’s provisions or an implementation timetable.
Clear regulations will be particularly important as Egypt expands private-sector participation in housing delivery, with developers and public institutions requiring defined responsibilities for financing, construction and project completion.
The government’s next steps will determine how the proposed one-million-unit programme is implemented and whether it can provide more accessible housing for households across different income groups.
