Unsafe housing has become a critical threat to millions of Iranians, particularly those living in dilapidated urban areas and informal settlements on the outskirts of cities. These homes, lacking structural integrity, are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. Despite repeated warnings from experts, the renovation and reconstruction of these buildings have faced persistent delays, exacerbating the crisis.
The Root Causes of Unsafe Housing
One of the primary reasons behind the proliferation of unsafe homes in Iran is substandard construction. Many buildings are erected without adherence to engineering principles, often using low-quality materials and with minimal oversight. This problem is particularly pronounced in densely populated areas, where unregulated and unauthorized construction is rampant.
Aging infrastructure is another major concern. Many homes in cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, and Tabriz are over 40 years old and have never undergone proper reinforcement. These structures, already weakened by time, are ill-equipped to withstand even moderate seismic activity. Experts warn that a minor earthquake could result in catastrophic damage in these areas.
Economic hardship has also played a significant role in the spread of unsafe housing. Many low-income families cannot afford to buy or rent homes that meet safety standards. Consequently, they are forced to reside in structurally weak buildings or in informal settlements that lack basic infrastructure and oversight. In these areas, buildings deteriorate rapidly, becoming hazardous living spaces.
Government Negligence and Corruption
The Iranian regime has been largely ineffective in addressing this crisis. Reconstruction and renovation programs for unsafe housing have progressed at a sluggish pace, with insufficient funding allocated to the sector. Numerous urban regeneration projects have been halted due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, financial constraints, or political interference.
Corruption and rent-seeking within the housing sector have further worsened the situation. In some cases, renovation projects have been carried out selectively, benefiting a privileged few while leaving a large portion of the population without access to safer housing. Additionally, poor enforcement of construction regulations has led to newly built apartment complexes that fail to meet safety standards. Some buildings have even received occupancy permits despite lacking technical approvals, putting residents at grave risk.
The tragic collapse of the Abadan Metropole building highlighted the consequences of such negligence. The disaster underscored the dangers of unsafe construction and the authorities’ failure to enforce building codes. While the incident briefly drew public attention to the issue, no substantial reforms have been implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Scale of the Crisis
Currently, approximately 19 million people in Iran live in unsafe housing. These homes are spread across 170,000 hectares of deteriorated urban and marginal areas. According to Abdolreza Golpayegani, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and CEO of the Urban Regeneration Company, all of these unsafe houses are located within city limits and lack the structural integrity to withstand even minor earthquakes of magnitude 4 to 5.
One of the key indicators of unsafe housing is the absence of a strong structural framework. According to Iran’s Statistics Center, buildings that lack a solid frame are classified as hazardous and are at high risk of collapse during an earthquake. Despite government promises to address the issue, progress has been slow. Under the “National Housing Movement” program, a leftover initiative from the Raisi administration, 100,000 dilapidated housing units are supposed to be renovated annually. However, to date, less than 2% of the allocated loans for this initiative have been distributed, severely hampering efforts to improve housing conditions.
Currently, Iran has 5.7 million housing units located in deteriorated urban areas, of which 2.7 million require urgent retrofitting. These unsafe dwellings not only pose life-threatening risks but also suffer from inadequate urban services. The per capita level of essential services in these areas falls significantly below national urban standards, yet no concrete plans have been implemented to address this disparity.
The Need for Urgent Action
Beyond safety concerns, dilapidated and unsafe housing units face serious challenges in terms of urban infrastructure and public services. Poor planning, lack of supervision, and the unavailability of essential utilities have exacerbated the problem, leaving residents in increasingly precarious conditions.
Addressing the issue of unsafe housing requires a comprehensive strategy, including financial support, better urban planning, and stricter enforcement of building regulations. However, the slow disbursement of funds and ineffective implementation of existing programs have hindered progress. Past disasters, including devastating earthquakes, have demonstrated the dire consequences of inaction. Without urgent intervention, Iran risks facing even greater humanitarian crises in the future.
To mitigate the crisis, the government must prioritize the reconstruction and retrofitting of vulnerable housing units, increase private sector participation, and enforce stricter building safety regulations. Failure to act will not only endanger millions of lives but will also deepen the country’s ongoing housing and urban management crisis.
