Mai Abdel Hamid, CEO of the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Support Fund, participated in the “Innovation in the Social Housing Sector” conference held in Bahrain from April 23 to 25, 2025. She attended at the invitation of Bahraini Minister of Housing, Amna bint Ahmed Al-Rumaihi. Abdel Hamid delivered a presentation on Egypt’s experience in providing housing for low-income citizens and participated in a panel discussion to answer attendees’ inquiries. The conference was attended by several officials, including Amna bint Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, Abdullah Taleb, and representatives from housing companies in the United Kingdom.
Mai Abdel Hamid explained that 48% of the beneficiaries of the “Housing for All Egyptians” program are private sector workers, 29% are from the governmental sector, and 23% are freelancers. Additionally, 24% of the beneficiaries are women. The program has contributed to reducing informal housing by 85%, with 85% of units being constructed in new cities and 15% in existing governorates since 2014.
She also noted that the Fund received 117,744 complaints and inquiries in 2024 and responded to 99% of 323,000 complaints received since 2020. The Fund benefits from data analysis of social media interactions to better understand issues related to housing units.
The Fund relies on partnerships with governorates and civil society organizations to design projects that align with each region’s priorities. It collaborates with local and international entities to ensure sound planning and the provision of integrated services such as schools and healthcare units. The Fund aims to build 55,000 green housing units, contributing to reduced water and electricity consumption, lower carbon emissions, and decreased solid waste. It has already obtained Green Pyramid Rating System certification for 25,494 units and is working toward international certification for 30,000 units. Furthermore, it plans to launch an additional 25,000 green units, aiming for a total of 80,000 units by 2028.
In conclusion, Mai Abdel Hamid emphasized the importance of sharing regional experiences, noting that Egypt’s social housing initiative is a model that integrates justice, social protection, and environmental sustainability. She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing decent housing for all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, through innovative financing mechanisms. Following her speech, she participated in a panel discussion with officials from Arab and Western countries, during which she answered questions about the presidential initiative “Housing for All Egyptians” and highlighted Egypt’s readiness to share its expertise in providing adequate housing.
