On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Sherif El-Sherbiny, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, announced the commencement of the refund process for reservation amounts for applicants on the "Sakan" site who were unsuccessful in the recent public lottery.
The new package of reservations is aimed at applicants who did not secure housing units or plots of land following the lottery. El-Sherbiny emphasized the importance of restoring trust among applicants by managing this refund process efficiently, stating, "We are committed to quickly restoring all housing reservation packages for employees as quickly as possible to maintain their confidence in the authority." This is part of the government's broader efforts to support citizens seeking affordable housing.
According to Dr. Hassan El-Shorbagy, the Deputy Head of the New Urban Communities Authority for Real Estate and Commercial Affairs, the lottery for land and housing units concluded successfully on February 26, 2025. A total of 8,521 plots and 6,575 housing units were allocated during this lottery.
The refund procedures for those who did not win began on March 6, 2025. Refunds are being processed by Foury Dahab and the Banque Misr for those who paid via cash or Visa cards. Clients who completed their transactions using bank transfers will receive their refunds directly through the bank, from March 11 until mid-next week. El-Shorbagy noted, "The lottery procedures ended on 2025-02-26, where the procedures for refunding the reservation amounts for employees who did not win started from Thursday, 2025-03-06."
The initiative is part of the efforts made by the New Urban Communities Authority to cement trust with citizens seeking housing solutions. The Ministry of Housing aims to keep communication open with those who applied for housing units and land, expressing their hopes for upcoming opportunities to secure property. El-Shorbagy highlighted the agency's commitment to swiftly refunding the reservation amounts to preserve faith among potential homeowners.
For applicants affected by the lottery, this refund process is seen as important for maintaining positive relations with the authority. El-Shorbagy encouraged applicants to keep faith, stating his wishes for their success at securing properties in future lotteries.
This series of events reflects the continuous efforts by the Egyptian government to provide affordable housing solutions to its citizens and address public concerns over housing availability. The allocations made during the latest lottery signify the government's commitment to addressing adult housing poverty and making home ownership more attainable for members of the public.
The continued support extended by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, through initiatives like these refunds and future lotteries, suggests the government is working diligently to rectify any missteps and offer equitable solutions to housing needs.
With the promise of new lottery opportunities on the horizon, the Ministry remains focused on maintaining transparency and accountability, key factors for fostering public confidence.
Overall, this initiative serves not just as a financial transaction but as part of broader efforts to support citizens' rights to housing and the development of urban communities across Egypt, showcasing the Ministry's commitment to improving living standards and neighborhoods within the country.