UAE to spend a massive Dh32 billion to build 34,000 homes

By Rajive Singh

ABU DHABI 26 February 2019: A new housing plan with a budget of Dh32 billion for the construction of 34,000 housing units across the UAE, has been approved.

The project under the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was approved by Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The plan for UAE citizens will be implemented over the next six years.

His Highness also directed that Emiratis earning Dh15,000 or below a month will now be eligible for a housing loan instead of the previous Dh10,000. His Highness also directed that the maximum housing loan for Emiratis seeking to live in government residential facilities be increased from Dh800,000 to Dh1.2 million.

Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks came as he reviewed the progress of housing construction and federal roads projects in Ras Al Khaimah. He was accompanied on his visit by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; and Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.

Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the progress of various housing projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.

High Standard

“We are committed to ensure that all Emiratis are provided a high standard of residential facilities. Citizens from all regions of the UAE will be able to benefit from the development programme. The programme will ensure that housing facilities provided to Emiratis will feature the same quality across the country, because our citizens deserve the best,” His Highness said.

“We want to make sure that government entities provide the best possible services to citizens. The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme seeks to provide exceptional services,” His Highness said. “Our main focus is on UAE citizens and nothing will stand in the way of providing the highest quality of services and facilities to them,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Vital Housing Community

Sheikh Mohammed also directed that the Vital Housing Communities guide be implemented in the areas covered by the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme. The guide aims to improve the quality of life of beneficiaries including their safety, health and education.

Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi praised the directives of His Highness adding that the total cost of housing and infrastructure projects to be implemented till 2020 exceeds Dh30.7 billion.

Gamila Mohammed Khalfan Al Shamsi, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, said that the programme aims to achieve a high level of sustainability by reducing water consumption in houses by 40% and electricity by 20%.