A surge of Afghan refugees contributes to the housing predicament in Kabul city.
Rising Rents and Housing Crisis in Kabul
Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is experiencing a significant housing crisis due to a surge in demand and limited supply, according to local property dealer Nabiullah Quraishi. The influx of over 2.1 million Afghan returnees from Pakistan and Iran in 2025 has put immense pressure on the housing market, causing rental prices to double in some areas.
One of these returnees is Zaryab, a 47-year-old factory worker, who struggles to find affordable housing for his family of eight. Hussaini, a long-time Kabul resident, faces a rent increase for her three-bedroom apartment, and Zahra Hashimi and her family are at risk of eviction from their single basement room in Kabul, which lacks electricity and running water.
The United Nations refugee agency reports this figure, highlighting the severity of the housing crisis in the city. Seventy-five percent of Kabul was developed unplanned, according to municipality spokesman Nematullah Barakzai, which further complicates housing availability and affordability.
Government Intervention Measures
In response to the housing crisis, the Taliban authorities have established a joint Committee for House Rent Control to monitor the market and prevent exploitative hikes. An official decree limits rent increases in 2025 to no more than 10 percent above last year’s rates. Authorities have also issued warnings and posted instructions for residents to report "unjustified rent hikes," although tenant protections remain weak.
However, actual enforcement and comprehensive housing solutions remain inadequate. The Taliban regime lacks sufficient resources, technical expertise, and financial backing to effectively address Kabul’s widespread housing crisis or implement affordable housing projects. Urban development plans, which involve building new roads at the expense of residences, are further straining housing access.
Impact on the Population
The cost of housing is a significant burden for the majority of Afghanistan’s population, as 85 percent live on less than one dollar a day. Many of these returnees have fled to Kabul, expecting to find work, but the high cost of housing and the limited job market are making it difficult for them to sustain themselves.
Hashimi's husband earns approximately 80 Afghanis per day, insufficient to pay the rent for their residence. As a result, Hashimi's eldest daughter is denied schooling under Taliban rules, and the family cannot afford tuition for their primary-school-aged daughters.
In conclusion, while the government has taken formal steps such as rent control committees and legal limits on rent hikes, practical enforcement and comprehensive housing solutions remain inadequate in the face of massive returnee-driven demand and a constrained economy. The housing crisis in Kabul is a complex issue that requires immediate attention and sustainable solutions to address the needs of the growing population.
References: 1. The Guardian 2. Reuters 3. Al Jazeera 4. Amnesty International 5. UNHCR
- The joint Committee for House Rent Control, established by the Taliban authorities, is attempting to mitigate the housing crisis in Kabul by monitoring the market and limiting rent increases.
- Despite the established rent control measures, the Taliban regime faces challenges in enforcing them and implementing comprehensive housing solutions due to a lack of resources, technical expertise, and financial backing.
