03.04.2026 17:27
The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, announced that the lottery for the 500,000 social housing project in Istanbul will be held on April 25.
The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, made important statements at the Hekimbaşı Urban Transformation Project Lottery Draw Ceremony in Ümraniye, Istanbul. Minister Kurum announced the lottery date expected to be held in Istanbul as part of the "Housing Project of the Century." He stated that the lottery for the 500,000 social housing project in Istanbul will take place on April 25.
LOTTERY DRAW IN ISTANBUL ON APRIL 25
Kurum said, "The Homeowner Turkey project has created great excitement in all 81 of our provinces. We have initiated the 500,000 social housing project in our Homeowner Turkey project. We have allocated 100,000 houses for Istanbul. We have drawn the lots for our provinces. Next week, I will participate in the lottery in Çorum. Our final lottery will also be in Istanbul. God willing, on April 25, with the presence of our President, we will draw the lots in Istanbul with great joy. We will determine the rightful owners of our homes there," he stated.
"WE ARE FULFILLING THE PROMISE WE MADE ON THE FIELD"
The statements of the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, are as follows:
"Today is truly a very meaningful and emotional day for us. Right now, we are not just holding a key delivery ceremony in Ümraniye; we are fulfilling the promise we made on the field with the children of Ümraniye and the mothers of Hekimbaşı.
You will not reach 591 new homes. The message these homes convey is much deeper. Our engineers refer to these houses as earthquake-resistant structures in technical terms. However, the meaning in our hearts is entirely different, because we are not just delivering homes and workplaces to you today along with resilient structures; we are also delivering peaceful homes where you will live with your families and friends. You have lived for years with the fear of whether our home will collapse like your fellow Istanbulites living in every unsafe building.
"THE FEAR IS OVER, PEACE HAS BEGUN"
Now I look into the eyes of the mothers in this hall; do not be afraid anymore, because the fear is over, peace has begun, happiness has begun. While we were building this place, we wanted to create a living space where neighborliness continues, where our tradesmen greet each other when they leave their shops, and where children run around in peace. We are also delivering a life full of happiness.
We will not sell any of these houses; we will give them all to our brothers and sisters from Hekimbaşı. We have delivered a peaceful life to you. Today, this was the case in Elmalı city, in Şerifali. It was the same when we built the underground parking lot in Ümraniye and when we designed the Hekimbaşı National Garden. In the Great Disaster, we held the hand of our state’s compassionate hand and lifted every extinguished hearth in our 11 provinces together with our nation.
"WE DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO STOP FOR EVEN A SECOND"
From the earthquake zone to the most remote part of Anatolia, at the end of every job we have done, we have looked into the eyes of those who are satisfied with us, filled with hope. Now, for some, our urgency in these prayers and works may not mean anything. It does not, because they do not see. We see very well. We know that while the world and our nearby geography have turned into a ring of fire, we do not have the luxury to stop for even a second.
"WE WILL MAKE ISTANBUL STRONG AS A FORTRESS"
If Istanbul shakes, Turkey shakes; if Istanbul strengthens, Turkey strengthens. Urban transformation is the guarantee of a fully independent Turkey. We will make Istanbul as strong as a fortress against earthquakes.
"WE HAVE INCLUDED 316,000 HOUSES IN ISTANBUL IN THE PROCESS"
For this, we are implementing many projects. We called it the transformation of the century. Our President said, without thinking about the result, in a way that many political leaders would not dare, I will do this job. We have taken a very big step. We launched the Half is Ours campaign. So far, we have included 316,000 of our houses in the process in Istanbul.
"3 MILLION TL SUPPORT FOR ISTANBUL CITIZENS"
We are taking another step that will take our speed even further. I announce from Ümraniye that our Istanbul has been included in the climate and disaster-based city project financed by the World Bank. From today, we are preparing a support package of up to 3 million TL for our citizens, starting with the houses that need urgent transformation. I will share three important points of the campaign with you.
"THEY WILL NOT MAKE PAYMENTS FOR 1 YEAR"
First, while the construction is ongoing, for one year, not a single penny will come out of your pocket. For exactly one year, our citizens undergoing transformation will not make any payments.
Secondly, set aside all market conditions; we have adjusted the time and opportunity according to you. We are offering a payment plan of exactly 180 months, which means a payment plan of up to 15 years. This payment plan will also be with a historical ease of monthly 0.69, meaning an annual cost of less than 10 percent, standing by our nation.
Throughout the construction process, you will never feel alone. All units of our ministry will be by your side.
"WE HAVE ANNOUNCED OUR GOOD NEWS AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD"
We have announced our good news, and as of now, we are moving forward. Today, we will start receiving applications immediately.
ISTANBUL LOTTERY DATE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED
The Homeowner Turkey project has created great excitement in all 81 of our provinces. We have initiated the 500,000 social housing project in our Homeowner Turkey project. We have allocated 100,000 houses for Istanbul. We have drawn the lots for our provinces. Next week, I will participate in the lottery in Çorum. Our final lottery will also be in Istanbul. God willing, on April 25, with the presence of our President, we will draw the lots in Istanbul with great joy. We will determine the rightful owners of our homes there.
Until today, with God's permission and your love, we have pierced many mountains and crossed many roads together with the mothers who pray for us at the end of every job we do there. From now on, God willing, we will work first to create the best works for our nation. We will believe and we will succeed at the end of the job."