UAE Government Allocates Dh1.68bn for Emiratis' Housing Aid

The UAE government has allocated Dh1.68 billion in housing support for Emiratis as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the standards of living for its citizens. This funding, sanctioned under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, was announced following a ministerial meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The approved funding will facilitate the construction of 2,160 houses, aligning with the forthcoming Eid Al Adha celebrations. Established in 1999, the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme aims to assist Emiratis, particularly those with limited incomes, by providing financial aid for various housing needs, including construction, completion, purchase, maintenance, and upgrades.

In June 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed directed the completion of Dh2.3 billion worth of grant applications to the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme. Suhail Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, affirmed that all pending applications for funding assistance would be processed within the next five years.

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To enhance government efficiency, Sheikh Mohammed revealed plans to simplify and expedite the application process for housing support. The Cabinet approved a project aimed at reducing bureaucratic procedures within the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, in collaboration with 24 government entities. This initiative aims to streamline processes, significantly reducing the documentation required for housing loan approval from ten to two.

Dubbed the "Manzil bundle," this enhanced platform is a pivotal component of broader efforts to minimize government bureaucracy and enhance efficiency across the UAE. Additionally, the government expanded an initiative to shorten the processing time for residency visas and work permits from up to 30 days to just five days, benefiting over 600,000 businesses employing more than seven million individuals.

In line with efforts to streamline government services, Sheikh Mohammed announced plans in February to eliminate 2,000 unnecessary procedures within a year. Under the "Zero Government Bureaucracy" program, government departments aim to reduce service delivery times by half. Furthermore, top-performing employees or teams stand to receive bonuses of up to Dh1 million as part of this initiative.