‘5,000 housing units to be distributed soon’

In implementation of an order by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to distribute 5,000 housing units, in line with the royal directives, Housing Minister Bassim Al Hamer said the ministry has embarked on determining the projects and the beneficiaries in preparation for a distribution schedule very soon.

The Housing Minister said all housing projects to be included in the distribution schedule are part of the projects being carried out in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to build 40,000 housing units. He pointed out that the ministry has reached an advanced stage in this respect.

The Housing Minister extended heartfelt thanks and gratitude to HM the King, HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince for their keenness on providing housing services for citizens. He said the directives are in continuation of the housing achievements brought about in the prosperous era of HM the King to boost citizens’ welfare.

Mr Al Hamer added that the Government Executive Committee, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, has been keen on providing all success requirements for the initiative, which is expected to yield positive results that would contribute to ensuring sustainable housing services.

He pointed out that the Housing Ministry had launched the first tender of the programme to build housing units on stateowned lands by private real estate developers. The tender includes the building of 132 housing units on a government-owned land in Al Lawzi, in addition to the necessary infrastructure works accompanying the project.

He indicated that 132-unit project is the pilot phase of the ambitious project, which was inaugurated by the Housing Minister in co-operation with the Eskan Bank in October last year, noting that it will provide the ministry with an opportunity to make the necessary improvements on the programme before its official adoption.

Under the scheme, private real estate development companies develop housing projects on state-owned land, and then the units will be sold to the citizens who are on the waiting lists through receiving one of the Housing Ministry’s financing programmes.

Mr Al Hamer said that real estate development companies had been requested to submit their bids for the 132-unit project before March 4 so that construction works begin in May.

He added that if the project proves its success, a string of similar housing projects will be implemented across the kingdom’s governorates to build about 15,000 units on stateowned land lots over a period of ten years.