Family relief as Parliament set to vote on seniority-based housing proposal

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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After waiting over 15 years for housing, some Bahraini families in cramped quarters may soon see relief, as Parliament is expected to vote on a proposal today that would prioritise seniority for housing allocation.

Backed by the Public Utilities and Environment Committee, the proposal urges the government to decide housing distribution purely based on how long applicants have been waiting, ignoring regional quotas.

This approach aims to prioritise those who have endured the longest waits, addressing what many see as a long overdue response to housing demands, especially in Bahrain’s busiest areas.

The committee points to two core principles in Bahrain’s Constitution: Article 9, which guarantees housing for citizens on limited incomes, and Article 18, which ensures equal rights and duties for all without bias.

The seniority-based plan, they argue, would not only address the pressing need for housing but also uphold these principles of fair and equal treatment, giving applicants a fair chance, regardless of their location.

The proposal, championed by Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata and MP Jalal Kadhem Hassan, alongside three other MPs, seeks to tackle the severe housing shortage in the Capital Governorate.

Projects

With land for new projects scarce and rents high, many families are forced into small, overcrowded spaces, living without privacy or adequate room.

These conditions have driven the call for a practical solution. Article 9(c) of the Constitution obliges the government to provide housing for low-income citizens, viewing it as a fundamental part of Bahrain’s social foundation.

Article 18 further guarantees that all citizens are treated equally, without favouritism. The committee believes that making seniority the standard for allocation would honour these rights, creating a fairer system and easing disparities across the country