Kazakhstan's $70M Housing Project Lies Abandoned After Years of Delays

A state-funded dream turned nightmare: 70 promised apartment blocks sit vacant, while officials scramble to fix what went wrong. Will 2026 finally bring answers?

, and Administrator

2026 March 4 . 3:15 PM

1 min read

The image shows an abandoned building with graffiti on the walls and pillars. The floor is visible... — The image shows an abandoned building with graffiti on the walls and pillars. The floor is visible at the bottom of the image, and there are pipes running along the walls. In the background, there is a door, giving the impression of an urban decay.

Kazakhstan's $70M Housing Project Lies Abandoned After Years of Delays

A state-backed housing project in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, has stalled for years, leaving dozens of apartment buildings empty. Launched in 2019, the scheme aimed to construct 70 residential blocks and social infrastructure in the Talghayran district. But as of early 2026, not a single planned building has been finished or occupied.

Construction of 24 apartment buildings began under the state programme in 2019. Seven different contractors worked on the site, yet progress stopped after just a year and a half. Rising material costs and unfulfilled obligations forced work to halt.

The Anti-Corruption Service later flagged the project for systematic delays and mismanagement. It was added to the Corruption Risk Map, highlighting repeated failures by those involved. Even now, the 24 completed structures lack essential utilities like water and heating, preventing residents from moving in.

A newly built school in Talghayran remains unused, with no classes held despite its completion. City officials have admitted that basic infrastructure—such as sewage, electricity, and heating—was never installed before construction started. Authorities now claim they will finish all utility connections and landscaping by the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, dozens of high-rise apartment blocks across Atyrau have stood vacant for years. Without functioning utilities, they remain uninhabitable, leaving the original housing goals unmet.

The Talghayran project was meant to deliver 70 residential buildings and key social facilities. Instead, it has left empty apartments and unfinished infrastructure. With no confirmed progress on the remaining 46 buildings, residents continue to wait for answers—and homes.