The housing shortage in Iraq is reaching catastrophic proportions; past neglect of housing, rent hikes and damages caused by recent war are to blame.
Families in Baghdad, who have been evicted from their homes because they could not afford recent rent hikes from private landlords, are moving into empty government buildings, and in some cases, living in squalid conditions. According to a senior housing official for the Ministry of Construction and Housing Ministry, almost half of Iraq's population is "living below the poverty line and cannot afford decent housing." The ministry has plans to build one million houses by 2010.
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Catastrophic housing shortage threatens Iraq: official
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