UAE cabinet approves housing aid valued at Dhs1.86bn

Image: Dubai Media Office

The UAE Cabinet, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved a new housing package valued at Dhs1.682bn ($458m) for Emirati citizens. This initiative coincides with the upcoming Eid Al-Adha holiday and aims to enhance social stability by ensuring access to affordable housing.

“We approved during the cabinet meeting, 2,160 new housing decisions for citizens under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program valued at Dhs1.682bn. We also approved a project to simplify and reduce procedures within the programme in collaboration with 24 government entities,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The package includes 2,160 housing approvals for beneficiaries of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program. This programme provides financial assistance to Emirati citizens for purchasing or building homes.

The cabinet also launched the ‘Manzili’ initiative, a streamlined service bundle designed to simplify the housing loan application process for programme beneficiaries.

UAE Cabinet Chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid Approves 2,160 New Housing Decisions for Citizens Valued at AED 1.68 Billion and Launches the “Manzili” Bundle for Zayed Housing Program Beneficiaries#UAEGOV

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) June 11, 2024

Manzili reduces the number of government entities that citizens need to interact with from 11 to one, cutting down on paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles. The number of required documents is reduced from 10 to two, and the application process is streamlined from 14 steps to three.

Housing for Emiratis: Manzili aligns with digital transformation goals

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasised Manzili’s role in advancing the country’s digital transformation goals. “The bundle supports the goals of…designing future services,” he stated. Manzili leverages technology to improve the lives of citizens and deliver efficient services.

The housing package incorporates several components:

• Dhs437m ($119m) to fulfill all previous housing grant requests under the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
• Dhs1.3bn ($354m) to support new housing financing decisions in collaboration with national banks and financial institutions, aligning with the UAE’s new housing policy.
• Dhs82.8m ($22.5m) allocated for government housing decisions.

Read: Abu Dhabi approves Dh2.18bn housing package for citizens