Izmir Earthquake Survivors Protest TOKİ's Sale of Homes in Reserve Area

Earthquake survivors in Izmir are expressing strong discontent over the Housing Development Administration of Turkey's (TOKİ) decision to put 225 residential units up for general sale. These homes are located in a reserve area designated for earthquake victims in the Bayraklı district, more than three years after the devastating October 30, 2020 earthquake.

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The promises made have been left unfulfilled.

Survivors who are still living in moderately or slightly damaged buildings have been advocating for priority sales of these reserve area homes as they struggle to finance renovations with high-interest loans. The Izmir Earthquake Survivors Solidarity Association (İZDEDA) highlighted that a promise was made in July 2022 during a meeting with former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım. At that time, it was agreed that these reserve area homes were built for earthquake survivors and should be sold to them first. İZDEDA had collected 1,100 petitions from moderately damaged homeowners to support this claim.

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We had agreed that the priority for sales should be earthquake survivors.

İZDEDA President Haydar Özkan stated that out of the 3,657 homes built in the area, approximately 2,000 were allocated to severely damaged survivors and those who owned multiple properties. However, the remaining units were repurposed as a girls' dormitory and housing for judges and prosecutors. Özkan expressed frustration that TOKİ is now selling 225 units to the public, despite the prior commitment to prioritize earthquake survivors, starting with those whose homes sustained moderate damage. He lamented that promises made have been left unfulfilled, leading to a sense of distrust among survivors.

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The state's word is essential. Let yesterday be yesterday, and today be today.

Özkan further questioned the government's actions, pointing out that while 3,600 homes have been built on a site planned for 8,500, the remaining land could be used for housing or TOKİ sales. He urged the government to honor past commitments, stating, "The state's word is essential. Let yesterday be yesterday, and today be today." He fears that the sale prices will be higher than if survivors had been given priority. Özkan also expressed concern that survivors might be forced to take legal action against the state if their rights are not recognized. He feels that little has been done for earthquake survivors in Izmir, despite the construction of 5,000 homes, given that 79,272 housing units were damaged.

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We are also afraid that the prices will not be what they would have been if the earthquake survivors had priority.