Illegal Housing Danger

The growing numbers of illegally built houses are exposing their inhabitants to serious risks, reported the pro-government newspaper Kassiun on September 22.



All over the country, houses are being built without proper licenses, stated the newspaper which is issued by the Syrian Communist Party. Many of them do not have any access to clean drinking water and other utilities.



The newspaper estimated that 50 per cent of all homes in Syria were built illegally. Even in the capital Damascus the number of unlicensed buildings is said to be 45 per cent.



A big problem is weak foundations. According to the newspaper, some houses collapsed at Qasiun Mountain overlooking Damascus because there were built above caves.



The newspaper said there were a number of reasons for the growth in illegal housing, including a hike in the price of legal housing, corruption, lack of municipal controls and the lengthy and bureaucratic process of obtaining an official building permit.