The Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, has approved a total of 14,000 housing decisions over the past three years. These decisions encompass both government housing and financial support arrangements in partnership with national banks, which include funding decisions, housing loans, and grants specifically targeted at low-income individuals.
In statements made to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the first edition of the Forbes Middle East Summit titled “Building the Future” in Abu Dhabi, Engineer Mohammed Al Mansoori, Director of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, emphasized that in line with the directives of the wise leadership, the program is formulating future plans aimed at issuing housing decisions within a single day. These decisions will be directly linked to budgeting processes, and the program is also exploring ways to issue proactive housing decisions for citizens immediately upon marriage, thus fulfilling the aspirations of the Emirati people and enhancing social welfare and family stability within the community.
Furthermore, Al Mansoori highlighted that the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program has made significant strides in recent years through innovative funding policies in collaboration with the private sector, where the participation rate in financing housing decisions exceeds 70%. The homeownership rate among citizens has reached 91%, one of the highest globally, and the waiting list for housing decisions has been reduced by over 95%.
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Program continues to explore the future of government housing in the UAE, actively seeking solutions and requirements in collaboration with relevant stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. This is achieved through initiatives, plans, and facilitation measures that ensure the provision of essential elements for a dignified life for citizens.