Access to Housing

The ministerial decision states that land and real estate that non-Omanis are prohibited from owning in the Sultanate must be specified as follows: Agricultural lands in all provinces; or Other lands and real estate in the governorates, states and mountains specified in Article 1 of the law, as well as in all islands in the Sultanate, and in the surroundings of palaces, headquarters of security and military authorities specified under the text of Article 2, and in the heritage and old neighborhoods specified by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture; this does not include land and real estate located in finished tourist housing compounds.

The National Commission for Refugees and IDPs has called for a nationwide moratorium on the eviction of IDPs to prevent a further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The moratorium appeal is in place until further notice.

In an effort to provide tenure security and address the housing needs of IDPs and refugee-returnees, the Interim Protocol establishes the eligibility criteria for land distribution, availability of land for distribution, priority in land allocation, determination of beneficiaries, and the obligations of beneficiaries and land ownership. The provisions in the Protocol are according to the Somali Provisional Constitution that guarantees to every person residing lawfully on the territory of the said Republic freedom of movement, the freedom to choose his/her residence and to leave the country.

To provide specific protection against the rising cases of forced evictions of IDPs, especially in major urban cities, the Somali Government has established National Eviction Guidelines that lay out conditions, safeguards, process for legal evictions, in line with international standards. The Guidelines prevent arbitrary and forced eviction of occupiers of public and private properties, from homes, encampments and other lands, thus protecting the rights of IDPs and refugee-returnees to residence.

Ministerial Resolution No. 591 addresses the Commitment of Establishments to provide accommodation to their workers.