Rental Assistance or Interest Support?

Rental assistance and interest support are two separate financing options in urban renewal. Under the Urban Transformation Presidency’s implementation guide, the same person cannot receive both payments from the Transformation Projects Special Account.

This guide was prepared on 24 October 2026. It is not a new support announcement or an increase in amounts; it explains the choice rule in the Presidency’s Financial Support page and current rental-assistance application guide.

Why can they not be combined?

The official application undertaking states that a person receiving rental assistance will not apply for an interest-supported loan. The rule applies to the same person. It should not be read as forcing every owner in a building to choose the same option; each beneficiary and unit must be assessed separately.

Can rental assistance be reversed?

If rental-assistance payments are not yet complete, the guide allows the recipient to withdraw by repaying amounts received with statutory interest. An interest-support application may then be considered if all other conditions are met. Repayment alone does not guarantee loan approval or interest support; the bank and authority conduct separate assessments.

Do not overlook the one-year deadline

If a person later leaves interest support and returns to rental assistance, the application is treated as a new application. The one-year rental-assistance deadline from evacuation or demolition still applies. The guide also states that applications in Istanbul may be filed with the relevant district municipality. Confirm dates and the competent office in writing before acting.

What should owners compare?

Owners should compare expected rent, loan amount and term, repayment capacity, the renewal schedule and file eligibility together. Rental assistance may temporarily ease cash flow, while interest support may affect borrowing cost. The better option depends on the person and project.

Do not confuse it with municipal support

This choice rule concerns rental assistance and interest support funded by the Transformation Projects Special Account under Law No. 6306. Additional programmes of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality or other bodies may have different decisions, budgets and eligibility rules. Confirm any prohibition on duplicate payment and interaction between programmes with the relevant authorities.