Written by: Hamed Mahdi, Translated by: Shekib Safdari
Kabul residents are facing a worsening housing crisis, with soaring rents and severe shortages of homes, as the Taliban impose strict restrictions on construction and reportedly sell building permits at high prices.
Interviews conducted last week by Afghanistan Women’s Voice with several Kabul residents reveal growing frustration. Citizens complain of rising rents, a lack of affordable housing, and reports that Taliban members are profiting from the sale of construction permits.
The situation has deteriorated with the influx of returnees from neighbouring countries. Many families, particularly those recently expelled from Iran and Pakistan, are struggling to find shelter. Even when homes are available, rents are far beyond the means of most tenants.
Reza, a Kabul resident, told Afghanistan Women’s Voice: “It used to be manageable. You could find a room for 800 to 1,200 Afghanis in remote areas. Now, the same room costs 3,000 Afghanis.”
He currently pays 2,600 Afghanis for a single room with shared facilities, earning just 80 to 130 Afghanis a day selling plastic items.
Another returnee said his family has moved twice in three months. The first time, they were evicted when the landlord found a higher-paying tenant. The second time, they left because the rent was unaffordable.
Residents accuse the Taliban of banning construction on certain lands and even restricting private property rights. Many warn that unless building permits are made accessible, the crisis will spiral out of control, especially as deportations from neighbouring countries continue.
Sources allege that Taliban checkpoints, in collusion with local representatives, extort money from homeowners under the pretext of missing renovation permits. In some cases, families have been forced to pay between 30,000 and 40,000 Afghanis. Others claim Taliban officials sell repair permits after initially imposing harsh restrictions, demanding large sums once applicants lose hope.
Critics say these practices have worsened economic hardship, particularly for women-led households. With women barred from work and social participation, the combination of poverty and housing shortages has intensified psychological stress.
Despite mounting complaints, senior Taliban officials appear indifferent to the suffering caused by these policies, while lower-ranking members exploit the situation for profit.
Footnote: The photo from the Internet
