34,000 Emiratis to get houses by 2025: Minister

A total of 34,000 residential units, worth Dh32 billion, will be built across the UAE in six years (2019-2025) to meet the housing needs of Emiratis, as part of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, made the announcement during a media briefing at the Buteen Al Samar residential district in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday. "Earlier, only Emirati nationals drawing a monthly salary of up to Dh10,000 were eligible for the programme, but this is not the case anymore. As per the Cabinet resolution, Emirati citizens with a monthly salary up to Dh15,000 may now apply for these houses," said the minister, who also chairs the programme board of directors. However, this decree only applies to future applications, he told Khaleej Times.

"The Cabinet has also increased financial housing support given to eligible Emiratis from Dh800,000 to Dh1.2 million," he added. "Applications for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme bonuses and loans have been spiked by 200 per cent." The minister said that the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme is now developing three residential districts in Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.

Future Projects

The programme is also to build nine active integrated communities fully equipped with advanced facilities in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Dr Nuaimi said the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme is a coronation of the wise policy adopted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE. "This dream was turned into a reality by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."

The leaders spare no effort to secure adequate and decent housing for local families of different economic and social levels, he underlined. "Priority is given to special cases, including orphans, widows, senior citizens and the determined."

The programme, a key addition to similar schemes nationwide, is aimed to meet the needs of eligible Emiratis, by providing them with grants or loans, as per their financial capabilities, for housing construction, completion or conducting the necessary maintenance and additions to their houses.

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