Morocco Grapples with 2 Million Empty Homes Amid Housing Crisis

Several factors contribute to this situation, including real estate speculation and investment in second homes. But one of the main reasons is the massive purchase of real estate by Moroccans residing abroad (MREs). Attached to their country of origin, they acquire housing to stay there during their holidays or with a view to an unlikely permanent return. But the fact is that these homes remain unoccupied for a good part of the year.

Among the regions most affected by this phenomenon, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima is in a good position. With nearly 334,000 empty apartments, or 15.6% of the regional housing stock, it ranks second after Casablanca-Settat. The city of Tangier, in particular, perfectly illustrates this situation. Nearly 18% of the apartments there are unoccupied, leaving entire neighborhoods almost deserted.

Faced with this problem, the government has decided to react. Last March, it set up a financial aid program for first-time buyers. Substantial assistance that can reach 100,000 dirhams for the purchase of a home whose price does not exceed 300,000 dirhams. The objective? Facilitate access to property and support the real estate market. An initiative that seems to have found its audience, both among Moroccans residing in Morocco and MREs. It remains to be seen whether this measure will be sufficient to curb the proliferation of "ghost homes" and meet the real needs of the inhabitants of the region.