Migrants Face Difficulties Due to Rising Housing Prices in Dubai

• The Dubai government is conducting inspections to improve housing safety.
• The increase in population and prices for rental properties complicates the lives of migrants.
• Many migrant workers live in overcrowded apartments due to financial difficulties.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Migrants like Hesham live in overcrowded and substandard apartments that do not meet safety standards. Hesham, a 44-year-old Egyptian vendor, rents a room converted into a shack for $270 a month. However, he is now threatened with eviction due to the government's strict control over illegal rentals.

The Dubai government has launched an inspection campaign following a fire in January that highlighted the unsafe conditions in overcrowded apartments. Migrants living in such conditions often do not have the opportunity to find legal housing, as the rental market is primarily oriented towards wealthy foreigners.

Currently, the population of Dubai is growing, and by 2040 it may reach 5.8 million. This increase is accompanied by rising rental prices, which complicate the lives of migrants who earn only a few hundred dollars a month. In many cases, the rent for overcrowded apartments ranges from $220 to $270, which is significantly lower than the average price for a standard apartment, which is around $1400.

While the government claims that such measures improve safety, many of those who are evicted find themselves on the streets, where the prospect of additional eviction looms. For many, like Hesham, this means they remain in unsafe conditions indefinitely.

Tags: Middle East/Well-being