Subalterns Housing and Anti-Subaltern Thinking; Case Study: Mehr Housing Project in Iran

Authors

1 Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran. Iran

2 Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran‌, Tehran. Iran

Abstract

The fallacy of the benevolence of governments is the foundation of numerous perceptions of housing policy. From this wording, it seems that the government is constantly trying to solve the housing problem. Mehr Housing is the sole initiative that has been practically and extensively dedicated to providing housing for the lower echelons of society in the past few decades, particularly following the war. This article is a critical narrative of the Mehr Housing Project. The primary inquiry of the article is whether the Mehr Housing Project has met its anticipated objectives. This project has been founded on the following: official reports, the examination of programs and laws, the archives of newspapers, news agencies, and websites, the contents of books and articles and previous research, visual sources such as films, the perspectives of officials and experts, and, most importantly, the opinions of the people. The article concludes that Mehr Housing for the poor is under the control of governments that have placed their faith in capitalism and the free market. It has failed to achieve any of its intended objectives, including reducing inequality in the enjoyment of adequate housing, preventing the indiscriminate increase in land and housing prices, reducing rents, preventing the increase in marginalization, and promoting social justice. Consequently, its applicants and residents throughout the country have experienced widespread dissatisfaction. The officials and supporters of this project did not consider the opinions of the people, as they had no involvement in the design and implementation of the project. Similarly, they were disregarded in the analysis and evaluation of the project.

Keywords

References

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The Journal of Community Development (Rural-Urban)
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 33
Autumn and winter 2025
January 2025
Pages 343-361

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