Title: New Welfare Housing Initiative Launches in Golestan as Part of Broader National Support Strategy
Golestan Province Sees Groundbreaking on 400 New Welfare Homes
In a significant step to address housing needs, the construction of at least 400 residential units for citizens in need has officially begun in Golestan Province. The announcement was made by Seyyed Morteza Bakhtiari, head of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, during a meeting with the provincial governor on Wednesday.
Bakhtiari commended Governor Tahmasebi for the swift allocation of the necessary land for the project, confirming that construction would be expedited to ensure the units are completed in the shortest possible time frame. This initiative represents a core component of the ongoing efforts to provide essential housing support.
Expanding the Development Portfolio: Solar Energy and Economic Empowerment
The meeting also served as a platform to outline broader cooperative development projects between the Relief Foundation and the provincial government. Bakhtiari announced plans for the establishment of 500-megawatt solar power plants in the region, projects that will be prioritized once land allocation is finalized.
Governor Tahmasebi emphasized the province’s commitment to creating the necessary infrastructure for such investments. He highlighted the strategic importance of developing wood farming and expanding green spaces in northern areas of the province, noting their dual benefit for economic development and environmental control of dust particles. Additional joint initiatives include projects for the desalination of Caspian Sea water and comprehensive programs aimed at the economic empowerment of beneficiaries.
A National Model of Comprehensive Support
The report from Golestan aligns with a wider national framework of social welfare and empowerment. In a related development from the neighboring province of Mazandaran, the Director-General of Welfare Services, Fariba Barimani, reported significant achievements. Under the current administration, 945 residential units for beneficiaries have been completed and handed over in Mazandaran.
Furthermore, substantial strides have been made in economic empowerment, with 3,422 job opportunities created for target communities in the province—a figure that exceeds planned benchmarks by 14%. Notably, 836 of these positions were allocated to individuals recovering from addiction, facilitating their reintegration into society.
The support extends beyond housing and employment. In Mazandaran, comprehensive assistance has included the provision of over 1,810 free rehabilitation items such as wheelchairs, support for 1,200 visually impaired citizens, 340 hearing aids, 1,000 specialized mattresses, and home and vehicle modifications for 700 individuals. Educational programs have also been provided to over 9,800 seniors, enhancing their quality of life.
Streamlining Housing Access for Urban Beneficiaries
Back in Golestan, Issa Babaei, the provincial Director-General of the Relief Foundation, provided details on the housing registration process. Out of 8,000 urban beneficiary families who registered for the National Housing Movement plan, 3,473 were deemed eligible. So far, building permits have been allocated to 420 beneficiary families through cooperation with the National Housing Foundation and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.
Financial support for eligible urban beneficiaries is structured to include a 200 million Tomans grant and an additional 100 million Tomans in interest-free loans. Babaei reiterated the Foundation’s policy of primarily focusing on rural housing but affirmed its commitment to supporting urban residents by assisting with rental deposits and exploring cost-effective housing solutions in smaller towns, utilizing all available national capacities. He also called for continued collaboration from all executive bodies to overcome procedural and financial obstacles to accelerate the National Housing Movement for all beneficiaries.