Rising house prices and rent hikes in Turkey are having a negative impact on life in Ankara. According to Central Bank (TCMB) data, house prices increased by 2 percent in December 2024, while the annual increase in Ankara reached 34.4 percent. 

 

Citizens, to whom we handed the microphone, stated that the war expenditures must be directed to the basic needs of the people and pointed out that steps must be taken in the Parliament to solve the economic crisis. 

 

 

Yusuf Topur stated that rent and housing prices have reached maximum levels in the current situation and this situation is straining the people. Yusuf Topur said, "The solution to this is to transfer the money spent on the war to public housing projects and the needs of the people. I am from Ankara. Today, the rent of a 50-year-old, 3+1 apartment in a 3+1 building in Emek neighbourhood of Ankara is 40 thousand liras. This is not acceptable. We must act together to change the profiteering system. Kurds and Turks, everyone should use their democratic rights within this system. If necessary, we should raise our voices together. We can overcome this peacefully. For 40 years this money has been flowing into the war. For 40 years our people have been dying. Depending on where the money you spend on war is channelled, this country can be governed better.’ 

 

‘ADDRESS OF THE SOLUTION IS PARLIAMENT’ 

 

Şener Uçar stated that the money spent on the war has a serious negative impact on the economy and said, "Everything is expensive. Accordingly, housing prices have also increased. Today, a person living on minimum wage cannot afford to pay rent. Again, market prices are very expensive. Education, health and other expenses... This situation can only be improved with the money spent on the war. I don't understand why we got involved in these wars. The money spent there could have been used for the future of our own people. Everyone could live more comfortably with that money. We should be very careful about these issues. If there is a problem, the place to solve it is the Parliament."  

 

 

Stating that people live without security, Salih Özçelik said that people are the ones who will end the wars in the world. Özçelik said, "Our sources of income have started to decrease. The earnings of families are decreasing. Minimum wage earners are living with almost slavery wages. It is as if everyone in Turkey has been put to sleep. People live without the assurance of their own future. Why are we killing each other when we are brothers and sisters? From the DEM Party to the AKP, the MHP and the Labour Party. Everyone must now say that we want peace and brotherhood. We want our equal rights. It is human beings who will end the wars in the world." 

 

 

Stating that the government only thinks about the rich, Emre Özcan noted that it is almost impossible for the poor people to own a house in this system. Emre Özcan added, "Low-interest loans were given before, but those loans were only given to those who owned a house. The increases in rents are the same way. The people of Turkey seem to have lost the power to resist their own troubles in the recent period." 

 

 

Stating that the situation of tenants is difficult, Fulya Özer said that buying a house is no more than a dream. Fulya Özer said, "Under these economic conditions, it is really difficult to own a house. The situation of tenants is much more difficult. Although my husband is retired, he has to work. Because living on one salary means that everything goes to rent.  That is why he has to work. The conditions in Turkey are definitely not good."