Abstract

New methods in housing investment and the use of new financial instruments play an effective role in mobilizing resources for the development of this sector and expanding public participation in long-term investments. The use of these methods is based on the use of the structural capacities of each method, which facilitates investment in this area.

One of the key elements in the structure of these methods is the trustee institution, which in international financial systems is responsible for independent supervision, protecting the rights of investors, and ensuring the soundness of the fund's financial operations. Given the lack of a formal Trustee institution in Iranian law, this article examines the possibility of using the "Board of Trustees" structure as a localized replacement for this institution.

In this study, while reviewing international experiences on the role of the Trustee, the position and similar functions of the Board of Trustees in Iranian institutions (such as universities, charities, and innovation and prosperity funds) are analyzed. Also, based on the research conducted, the existing capacities for the Board of Trustees to play the role of the Trustee in the real estate financing structure through the National Housing Fund in Iran are evaluated.

The results of the study show that designing an independent, expert, multifaceted, and accountable Board of Trustees that oversees the activities of its subordinate funds can guarantee public trust, reduce institutional risks, and enhance transparency in housing funds. Finally, this article presents a proposed framework for designing such a structure in the Iranian legal context.