Egypt intensifies crackdown on social housing violations, penalties include fines and unit withdrawal

Egyptian authorities have launched intensive inspection campaigns on social housing units, imposing penalties for unauthorized sales, rentals, and vacancies.

• Mohamed Abdel Maksoud, head of the New October City Authority, said the campaigns enforce the Social Housing Law of 2018, which prohibits selling or renting units before the legal period.
• Mai Abdel Hamid, CEO of the Social Housing Fund, said that units found unoccupied or not permanently inhabited may be withdrawn from beneficiaries.
• The fund reported that as of April 2026, 12,789 violation reports had been filed, with 5,662 convictions and 1,048 cases pending.
• Penalties for renting or changing the use of a unit include a 45,000 Egyptian pound fine and possible withdrawal on a second offense.

Latest developments

• Jul 15 — Egypt's Social Housing Fund denied allegations in a viral social media post that a citizen was mistreated during inspections in New 6th of October City.
• Jul 15 — The fund described the claims as exaggerated and inaccurate, asserting that its judicial enforcement officers act within the law and undergo regular training.
• Jul 15 — It called on citizens to submit complaints through official channels for transparent review, as part of its efforts to protect subsidy funds and ensure they reach rightful beneficiaries.