Baghdad, Iraq: The Iraqi government will launch a dedicated digital registration platform for its One Million Residential Plots initiative on September 1, 2026. The programme aims to provide residential land to citizens who have never previously benefited from state land allocations.
Government spokesperson Haider Al-Aboudi announced the launch on Monday, August 24. He said the first batch includes more than 250,000 serviced residential plots across several Iraqi governorates.
The government has developed the first batch in cooperation with private-sector companies. The plots will include essential infrastructure, such as water, electricity, sewage networks, and roads.
The new digital platform will allow eligible citizens to submit applications online. It will also include identity verification and automated checks to confirm applicants meet the programme’s requirements.
Under the eligibility rules, applicants must be Iraqi citizens who have not previously received state land grants. They must also have no previous government housing allocations or state-provided residential properties.
Meanwhile, authorities are considering new financing options for successful applicants. The government is working with public and private banks to examine low-interest housing loans for people who receive residential plots.
These loans could help beneficiaries finance the construction of single-family homes. Consequently, the programme could provide both land and improved access to housing finance for eligible households.
The digital registration launch follows directives issued by Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi on August 9, 2026. The directives instructed relevant ministries and provincial authorities to begin procedures in areas where land zoning and surveying had already finished.
Furthermore, municipalities have accelerated technical work across several governorates. Officials have focused on surveying, dividing, and preparing land for distribution under the national housing programme.
In Karbala, the municipal directorate completed the technical sorting and zoning requirements for its allocation quota on August 18. The work prepared the designated plots for distribution under the wider initiative.
The One Million Residential Plots programme forms part of the government’s efforts to address Iraq’s housing shortage. It also aims to reduce the growth of informal settlements across major cities and governorates.
The initiative could provide significant support for families struggling with rising housing costs. Additionally, the development of serviced land could improve access to essential infrastructure and encourage more organized urban expansion.
The government’s use of a digital registration system could also improve transparency throughout the allocation process. Automated eligibility checks may help reduce administrative delays and prevent applicants from receiving multiple state benefits.
However, the success of the programme will depend on effective implementation. Authorities will need to ensure that infrastructure reaches the allocated sites and that applicants receive clear information about registration requirements.
The government will also need to maintain sufficient financing for future construction support. Expanding affordable housing loans could help beneficiaries turn the allocated plots into completed homes.
Overall, the September 1 launch represents a major step in Iraq’s One Million Residential Plots initiative. With more than 250,000 serviced plots ready in the first phase, the programme could become an important part of Iraq’s broader efforts to address housing demand.
