Housing project on the right track; 25,000 units by 2018

Manama : Minister of Housing Basim Alhamer reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to deliver 25,000 housing units by 2018.

The move was in line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s directives to build 40,000 housing units across the Kingdom over the coming years. Alhamer pointed out that delivery targets were being met and ensured efficient delivery of services to all communities.

 The delivery of a sustainable housing model is a key priority and Alhamer stressed that the leadership’s directives to accelerate the delivery of 3,000 units over the summer, as well as an additional 3,200 units by the end of November, will play a pivotal role in allowing these aspirations to be met.

The Minister also emphasised that the efficiency demonstrated by entities of housing construction had set an example for cross-government collaboration that directly contributes to improving citizens’ living standards.

Alhamer noted that increasing housing supply and housing services formed a key part of the Government Action Plan and the Kingdom’s broader infrastructure programme, which is supported by the deployment of the GCC development fund.

He went on to emphasis the importance of facilitating public-private partnerships that deliver high-quality, sustainable public services and facilities that benefit both the public and private sectors. 

Alhamer highlighted Bahrain’s partnership with The Prince of Wales’ charity organisation, The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, to develop a concept master plan to design and build a new social housing project in the Southern Governorate.

As examples of successful Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the Minister noted the Sharaka PPP at Al Madina Al Shamaliya and Al Luwzi, and Aloyoun at Diyar Al Muharraq.

The Minister said he  expects a substantial number of new and innovative programmes to come on stream, including the Ramli project, the East Sitra project, Danat Almadina and the apartment rehabilitation programme. The Ministry is also collaborating with Eskan Bank on a number of projects.