In a compelling showcase of Egypt’s national housing strategy, Mai Abdel Hamid, CEO of the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund (SHMFF), outlined the country’s significant strides in affordable housing during a high-level discussion organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Cairo. The session, titled “Integrated Urban Communities for Improved Quality of Life,” took place as part of the international conference “Innovation for Impact: Enhancing Private Sector Commitment to Sustainable Development.”
The forum gathered senior representatives from the Cairo Governorate, German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Suez Canal Bank, and private sector leaders, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in tackling urban challenges.
Blueprint for Inclusive Urban Housing
During her address, Abdel Hamid presented Egypt’s flagship presidential initiative, “Housing for All Egyptians,” which has emerged as a cornerstone of national efforts to uplift living conditions for low- and middle-income citizens.
“This initiative is not merely about shelter—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and social protection,” Abdel Hamid stated. “It aligns with Egypt’s constitutional right to adequate housing and reflects our commitment to inclusive development.”
She highlighted that more than 730,000 housing units have already been completed, with an additional 300,000 units under construction. The SHMFF focuses heavily on new urban cities, where 85% of units are being developed to address overpopulation and infrastructure stress in older urban areas.
Employment and Equity
One of the most striking features of the program is its economic ripple effect. The SHMFF currently collaborates with over 2,000 private-sector construction companies, resulting in the creation of nearly 4 million direct and indirect job opportunities.
Equally transformative is the model’s financing structure. In its early stages, only four banks were involved. Today, the program has secured partnerships with over 30 financial institutions across the public and private sectors. Abdel Hamid credits this growth to the success of Egypt’s subsidy model, which provides between 50% and 60% of unit costs through a mix of direct subsidies and interest rate support.
Green Architecture and Finance
Sustainability was a key theme in Abdel Hamid’s presentation. She emphasized that the Fund is going beyond building units—it is creating green communities. The SHMFF is currently executing 30,000 eco-friendly units as part of the second phase of its Green Architecture Initiative, developed in collaboration with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the National Housing and Building Research Center.
In a move to further institutionalize green practices, Abdel Hamid announced that the Fund is considering issuing green bonds in cooperation with international financial institutions and domestic banks. “This is vital for the program’s financial sustainability and to attract climate-conscious investments,” she noted.
Engaging the Private Sector
Looking ahead, Abdel Hamid acknowledged the need to deepen collaboration with private real estate developers to expand affordable housing access. “We are currently developing structured mechanisms to encourage private-sector involvement in low-income housing delivery,” she revealed.
The Fund is also working on micro-financing options for small-scale maintenance firms, aiming to outsource property upkeep to local entrepreneurs. This approach not only ensures the longevity of the units but also fosters microeconomic development within these communities.
Urban Equity and Resilience
Abdel Hamid’s participation in the UN-Habitat dialogue placed Egypt’s social housing strategy under international spotlight—highlighting it as a scalable, inclusive, and climate-conscious urban policy model.
As cities around the world struggle with rising housing costs, urban congestion, and the climate crisis, Egypt’s approach—grounded in equity, sustainability, and private sector partnership—offers a compelling case study in public-led, private-enabled development.
