Surging Housing Prices Push Türkiye’s Citizens Toward Container and Prefabricated Homes

With housing prices skyrocketing and earthquake safety concerns mounting, many Turkish citizens are increasingly turning to low-cost housing alternatives such as container and prefabricated homes, according to the latest data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK).

The share of citizens living in owned homes dropped to 56.1% in 2024, primarily due to soaring prices, reflecting a broader shift toward more affordable and safer housing options.

Demand Soars for Safer, Cheaper Housing Options

Driven by reduced purchasing power and earthquake risks, more people are exploring container homes and prefab houses, which cost substantially less than traditional homes. While urban housing prices now range between 3 to 5 million TL, a container home can be purchased for about half that cost, provided the buyer has access to land.

“Earthquake safety, affordability, and fast construction are the main reasons behind the boom in container homes,” Cumhuriyet reported.

Illegal Settlements on Agricultural Land Rising

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry shows that the non-agricultural use of farmland rose by 5% in 2023, much of it linked to the unauthorized placement of container and prefab homes.

Melih Şimşek, Vice President of the Turkish Structural Steel Association, warned that while the demand for secure, low-cost homes has surged due to the pandemic, earthquakes, and economic crisis, container homes are still classified as temporary structures.

“Urban housing costs are pushing people toward modular homes, but these are not permanent structures,” Şimşek said.

He also highlighted that many such homes are illegally installed on farmland, whereas planned zoning areas host more formal modular residences — though at much lower rates.

Mobile Home Concept Gains Traction

Following the April 23 Marmara earthquake, interest in the “mobile home” concept has surged, noted real estate expert Mustafa Hakan Özelmacıklı. However, prefab home demand has slightly declined due to tightened legal regulations.

Özelmacıklı emphasized that container homes are generally set up near village settlements on zoned lands, with strict inspections in place to preserve agricultural areas.

“Before setting up a home, legal checks are essential,” he cautioned.

Price Snapshot: Container and Prefab Home Costs

• Container homes start at around 250,000 TL for a 40-square-meter unit.

• Final costs vary depending on size and material quality.

As traditional homeownership becomes less attainable, Türkiye’s citizens are redefining residential living through more flexible and affordable solutions, despite the legal and regulatory hurdles they face.