The lack of affordable housing is one of Iraq’s deepest crises, with a severe shortage of housing units estimated to be 3.5 million, according to Iraq's Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works.

Population growth, rural-to-urban migration, lack of financial and natural resources, crises and conflicts that have dragged for more than four decades, the repercussions of the Islamic State’s (IS) occupation of the country, and the destruction of homes, infrastructure and public facilities have all exacerbated the housing crisis and increased homelessness and slums in the cities and their outskirts.

According to the Ministry of Planning’s estimates, Iraq had about 3,700 informal settlements or slums inhabited by an estimated 3 million people in 2019.

The slums vary based on the various parts. Houses are built of mud in some districts and of cement in others on state-owned lands. Some citizens have even turned military bases, facilities and buildings that belonged to the former Iraqi army and security services prior to the US invasion into homes.