Afghan returnees swell Kabul, sparking housing emergency

Unprecedented Housing Surge in Kabul

Afghanistan’s capital faces a tightening housing market as a flood of returning refugees inflates rental prices. With over 2.1 million Afghans repatriated from Pakistan and Iran this year, landlords have doubled rates, leaving families scrambling for affordable accommodation.

Returnee Struggle for Shelter

Mohammad Mohsen Zaryab, a 47‑year‑old factory worker, fled to Kabul with only a handful of belongings, hoping the city’s workforce opportunities would welcome him. Instead, he confronted landlords who offered no concession: “If you can’t pay, someone else will.” Zaryab recalled his expectation of collective support for newcomers, but the reality was starkly different.

Rental Prices Skyrocket

• Three‑room homes once commanded 10 000 Afghanis ($145) per month; now they demand 20 000.
• Real‑estate agent Hamed Hassani highlighted that refugees’ return has prompted landlords to double rents, urging governmental intervention.
• Property dealer Nabiullah Quraishi noted that demand now outstrips supply, a shift from two years ago when landlords frequently sought his assistance.

Urban Development Strains Housing Access

Municipal planners deny a housing crisis, yet major development initiatives—new roads at the cost of bulldozed residences—heighten scarcity. Nematullah Barakzai, a municipal spokesman, warned that 75 % of the city developed unplanned, and we don’t want this to happen again.

Personal Stories of Housing Hardship

• Zahra Hashimi fears eviction from a single basement room that has served her family since their return from Iran. Her husband, earning 80 Afghanis (~$1) per day, cannot sustain the scarce rent, and the property lacks basic utilities.
• Hashimi’s eldest daughter can no longer attend school under Taliban rules that deny women and girls education and employment. Her two primary‑school‑aged daughters face tuition costs beyond the family’s reach.
• Tamana Hussaini, a sewing teacher in western Kabul, confronts a landlord who intends to raise the rent from 3 000 Afghanis. The family of eight reversed their move attempt because rents remained prohibitive.

These accounts illustrate a “frustrating situation where you can’t stay, but you can’t leave either,” a sentiment echoed by long‑time residents and fresh returnees alike.

Conclusion

Kabul’s housing crisis presents a multifaceted challenge encompassing returning refugees, urban development plans, and deteriorating living conditions for long‑term residents. As rent prices continue to double, the city’s limited housing supply strains further, leaving families caught in a cycle of uncertainty and displacement.