Providing Hope and Dignity: Opening of a New Housing Project in Harim, Syria

Project Timeline 

The project officially began on 09 November 2023 with site preparation; this included clearing debris and levelling the land and streets. Construction commenced in March 2024 and was completed on 31 July 2025. Families from Harim area will begin moving into their new homes starting from 25.08.2025. 

Scale of the Project 

The project consists of 144 residential apartments, designed across different blocks:

  •  3 blocks with 12 three-room apartments (36 apartments in total).

  •  9 blocks with 12 two-room apartments (108 apartments in total).  

In total, around 850 individuals will benefit from this project. Two apartments will be used as offices, temporarily, to support project management and coordination. 

Services and Facilities 

The apartments are equipped with:

  •  Access to clean water and sewage systems

  •  Reliable electricity connections

  •  A public park to promote community well-being 

Selection Criteria

Residents were selected based on clear criteria to ensure fairness and transparency:

  •  Families who lost their homes in Harim district (collapsed or beyond rehabilitation).

  •  Families with no other residential property.

  •  Families residing in Harim district. 

The initial list of potential families was provided by the local council. This was followed by door-to-door registration and verification by PIN’s MEAL team, ensuring the process was participatory and transparent. 

Community Impact 

Beyond providing safe homes, the project also contributes to strengthening the local community. PIN applied socio-economic vulnerability criteria to prioritize the most at-risk families. Neighbourhood Committees will be established to foster community participation, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure ongoing communication and collective decision-making.  

PIN will also continue to monitor the project through a Joint Committee consisting of representatives from PIN, the local authority, and the neighbourhood community. This committee, along with an elected Neighbourhood Committee, will ensure the sustainability of the project, resolve conflicts, and promote resident participation.  

Future Prospects 

While this project focuses on Harim, which was one of the districts most severely affected by the earthquake, PIN remains committed to expanding similar initiatives in other areas of Syria if additional funding becomes available. 

Humanitarian Message 

For families who lost everything in the earthquake this project symbolises hope, dignity, and resilience for. For the local community, the project is a sign of solidarity and recovery. For the international community, it shows that our support can bring positive change and hope across borders.