Baykar launched a housing project comprising a total of 1,012 residential units in the provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, which were described as the "Disaster of the Century." This project has been regarded as one of the private sector contributions aimed at addressing Turkey's post-disaster housing needs. The earthquake housing units were constructed in coordination with relevant state institutions and entered the delivery process as of 2024.
Adıyaman Baykar Earthquake Housing
Scope and Details of the Housing Project
The housing units donated by Baykar were built in three different provinces:
- Adıyaman: 352 housing units
- Hatay: 352 housing units
- Kahramanmaraş: 308 housing units
The construction of a total of 1,012 permanent residences was carried out in coordination with AFAD, while the lottery procedures were managed by TOKİ. The project includes not only housing units but also various social amenities. Residential areas feature parks, children's playgrounds, and basketball courts, supporting the social lives of the earthquake victims. This ensures that residents have access not only to shelter but also to communal living spaces.
Construction Process and Deliveries
Following the earthquake, the project was rapidly initiated, with construction beginning in 2023 and reaching completion by 2024. The first housing units were delivered in Adıyaman in August 2024, followed by Hatay in September 2024, and Kahramanmaraş in November 2024.
- August 2024: The delivery of 352 housing units in Adıyaman began.
- September 2024: The delivery process of 352 housing units in Hatay commenced.
- November 2024: The handover of 308 housing units in Kahramanmaraş started.
The housing units were allocated to rightful owners through a lottery system coordinated by TOKİ.
Baykar’s Statements and Social Aid Efforts
Baykar Chairman of the Board and Technology Leader Selçuk Bayraktar shared details of the project via social media. Bayraktar stated that the company aimed to support the permanent housing needs of earthquake victims, emphasizing, "We are launching a Housing Mobilization for our nation." Baykar announced that they worked in collaboration with AFAD to complete the construction and swiftly deliver the housing units.
Coordination and Management Process
The project was carried out in cooperation with AFAD and TOKİ. The distribution of the housing units was determined through a lottery system, and the ownership process was conducted under the supervision of government institutions. Baykar’s initiative has been recognized as a private sector-supported model for meeting post-disaster housing needs.
The Baykar Earthquake Housing Project was implemented as a private sector contribution to meeting the permanent housing needs of earthquake victims in Turkey. Upon completion of the construction process, the housing units were handed over to the rightful owners. With its inclusion of social amenities, the project aimed to provide not only physical shelter but also a sustainable social living environment.
