- 27
- June
- 2025
Ever dreamed of owning a home without selling a kidney or calling that generous uncle in America? Here’s some welcome news: the Housing Bank (BDH) is stepping up to support aspiring homeowners. Thanks to a timely and skillfully negotiated injection of funds, the cap on subsidized housing loans has doubled from $50,000 to $100,000. A much-needed lifeline for Lebanon’s low- and middle-income families.
The Housing Bank (Banque de l'Habitat, BDH) has raised the ceiling for subsidized housing loans to $100,000. No miracle here, just solid financing. “This increase from $50,000 to $100,000 was made possible by a funding package – currently under negotiation – granted by the Qatar Fund to the Housing Bank,” said BDH CEO Antoine Habib in a statement to This is Beirut. It’s a meaningful step toward helping families lay the first brick of a better future.
Why Now?
The timing is no coincidence. As Habib explains, Israeli strikes have triggered a mass displacement of people toward central and northern Lebanon. The surge in demand has pushed property prices to new heights, rendering the previous $50,000 loan cap insufficient to purchase even a modest home.
“With the new ceiling of $100,000, eligibility criteria have been adjusted accordingly,” Habib notes. “Previously, monthly household incomes between $1,200 and $1,500 qualified for loans up to $40,000, and those between $1,500 and $2,000 for loans up to $50,000. Under the revised terms, families earning between $2,500 and $5,000 per month can now apply for loans up to $100,000.”
These income thresholds include combined earnings from all family members – spouses, children, grandparents and even guarantors. “Salary certificates must be issued by employers,” he adds.
Applications must be submitted online through the bank’s digital platform. Once the required documents are uploaded and the application is approved, the funds are released. “All other conditions remain unchanged: repayment over 20 years at a 6% interest rate,” Habib assured.
And that’s not all. The Housing Bank is currently in talks with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, while Qatar has pledged a separate $100 million loan facility dedicated to rebuilding homes damaged by Israeli bombings. These reconstruction loans, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, will be repayable over 15 years, with a two-year grace period.
‘No Regional Discrimination’
The Housing Bank has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting that areas such as South Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs are excluded from the loan program due to being deemed as “high-risk zones.” “There is absolutely no geographic discrimination,” the Bank stated. “Loans are available to all eligible Lebanese citizens, regardless of their place of residence. Applications submitted through the digital platform are assessed fairly and impartially.”
In a country where buying a home can often feel like a daunting challenge, the increase to $100,000 brings a renewed sense of hope. The journey is still long, but at least the foundation has been laid – and this time, it’s on firmer ground.
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