Housing Policies from the Proclamation of the Republic to the Present

This paper aims at examining the various aspects of the chronic housing problem and the principles, means and measures of the housing policies implemented throughout the history of the Turkish Republic. The debate is structured around three stages which are as follows: the prolonged period of nation-state building (1923-1950), the period of the mass migration of labour force to towns (1950-1980), and the post 1980 period characterised by the construction of the hegemony of capitalist classes in cities. The stage-bystage analysis shows that the common denominator of housing policies during the history of the republic is to increase the number of property houses. Considering the polices encouraging property housing together with the high level of home rental, it was inevitable that rentier sections that invested in the property market got fatter and satisfied. Thus, it is not a coincidence to see the exacerbation of housing problems of those who desperately need home, but lack financial resources to afford it. The large segments of society have been suffering from housing problems in quality and quantity terms for years while some sections of capitalist classes such as creditor banks, constructing companies, property developers, rentiers and land speculators in the housing sector have continued to augment.