In what real estate sources describe as the launch of Homs’ reconstruction phase, authorities have announced the opening of preliminary registration for new residential units in the city’s bustling IPC district. Prices range from $60,000 to $100,000—a “promising” development that quickly became a lightning rod for public ridicule and anger on social media, exposing the vast disconnect between investor ambitions and the daily realities of Syrian citizens.
A “Golden Opportunity” No One Can Afford
As news of the project spread, residents began doing the maths—and the results were staggering. In a country where the average public-sector salary hovers around $25 per month, a citizen would need nearly 200 years of uninterrupted labour, without food or water, to afford the cheapest unit.
This bitter truth triggered a wave of sarcastic commentary. One Facebook user wrote: “Fantastic news! I’ll register for four apartments—one for me and three for my sisters-in-law. Their husbands are in the Gulf and earn enough to make it work, God bless.” A university student quipped: “Finally, the marriage crisis is solved. I thought it was complicated, but turns out it’s simple—just 200 years of saving.”
Positive Impact—but for Whom?
While some developers claim the project will stimulate the market and attract expatriate investment, locals scoffed at these so-called “massive positive effects”. One user joked: “Of course the expats will come flooding back—who could resist a $100,000 apartment in downtown Homs? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal!”
Another posted on X: “Once every citizen buys one or two apartments on their salary, rental units will be empty, forcing landlords to lower rents. Brilliant strategy!”
To put this “golden opportunity” in perspective:
- Assuming a monthly salary of $25 (a generous estimate), a government employee would need:
- 2,400 months to afford a $60,000 apartment
- That’s 200 years of continuous work
- Provided they don’t eat, drink, dress, pay bills—or breathe—for two centuries
Reconstruction or Re-Segregation?
Observers argue that this project, like others expected to follow, is not designed to resolve the housing crisis for the majority of Syrians. Instead, it reflects a growing trend toward creating luxury residential zones for a narrow elite—wealthy investors, business magnates, and affluent Syrians abroad.
As thousands of displaced families in Homs continue to dream of returning home or securing dignified housing, these developments entrench a new reality and raise a pressing question now echoing across Syrian streets: Reconstruction—for whom?
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
