Latest news with #HousingandUrbanPlanningMinistry
Daily Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Fast-track housing loans ease backlog
Housing waiting list has shrunk by over 7,000 in three years as thousands of applicants drop ownership requests in favour of quicker financing options. The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry said it had met 11,266 requests since 2022. During that time it received 9,183 new ones. The difference, it said, showed progress in easing the backlog. As of this year, 47,624 applications remain on the waiting list for ownership services. In 2022, that figure was above 55,000. The drop has been driven by the take-up of financing schemes which provide quicker routes to housing. Many who had been waiting years chose to switch to these instead. Homes The ministry has also begun offering homes to those whose requests go back as far as 2004. Of the remaining requests, 44,632 are for housing units, 1,295 for plots, and 1,697 for ownership flats. In updates sent to a parliamentary inquiry, the ministry said 1,948 people had been shortlisted for housing units and 1,361 for ownership flats. Plots and flats It also said some requests dating back to 2006 had been met, including those for plots and flats. Others were fast-tracked due to health problems or urgent family needs and reviewed by the Housing Investigation Committee. During this legislative term, which started in December 2022, the ministry cancelled 2,705 requests. These were found not to meet the rules. Common reasons included not living in Bahrain full-time, failing to meet the definition of a household, owning other property, or having already received a housing loan. Those affected are notified and given up to two years to sort things out and reapply if they still qualify. As for how homes are handed out, the ministry said it uses the system laid out in Resolution No. 909 of 2015. Law That law sets out how requests are ranked. There are two types of housing projects. In general projects such as full housing towns, the ministry sets aside some homes for locals in the same governorate. The rest are shared out by waiting time regardless of where the request came from. Localised projects In localised projects, homes are first given to those from the same area, then to nearby areas, and finally to the wider region. The ministry said it aims to keep local ties intact by giving some weight to where the request comes from. Still, across all types of projects, the date of the request remains the main factor. Online system Since 2016, housing has been handed out using an online system. The process is filmed and logged, the ministry said, to make sure everything is recorded. It added that the housing financing programme had helped take the pressure off the ownership system. By offering fast-track loans across all governorates, the ministry said it had made housing quicker to get for those who are ready and eligible.
Daily Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MP seeks to raise housing aid age limit to 60
A proposal to allow women over 50 to apply for government housing support will go to a vote in Parliament tomorrow. MPs will decide whether to raise the maximum age limit for divorced, widowed, or abandoned applicants to 60, expanding their access to housing ownership, purchase financing, and construction loans. MP Lulua Al Rumaihi, who put forward the proposal, argues the change would remove hurdles that force some women to depend on their eldest son to secure a home. She says the current cut-off at 50 locks people out of housing support when they need it most. The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry noted that changes introduced last year had already relaxed the criteria for some applicants. Ministerial Decision No. 1474 of 2023 amended Article 3 of Ministerial Decision No. 909 of 2015, allowing divorced, widowed, or abandoned women without children, as well as orphaned unmarried women, to apply for temporary housing until 60. Those older than that can still apply, as long as they are able to live independently. The government has long offered housing support to Bahraini women. Since 2004, women have been able to apply as heads of households, either on their own or jointly with a husband. In recent years, eligibility was widened to include Bahraini women married to non-Bahrainis with children who hold Bahraini nationality.
Daily Tribune
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MPs Propose Raising Housing Support Age for Women to 60
Members of Parliament (MPs) have put forward a proposal to increase the age limit for divorced, widowed, or abandoned women to receive government housing support from 50 to 60 years old. The proposal is intended to enhance access to housing ownership, purchase financing, and construction loans. MP Lulua Al Rumaihi, who introduced the motion, explained that the change would help eliminate barriers that often force women to depend on their eldest sons for housing. The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry highlighted that recent changes had already relaxed some restrictions. Ministerial Decision No. 1474 of 2023 amended Article 3 of Ministerial Decision No. 909 of 2015, allowing divorced, widowed, or abandoned women without children, as well as orphaned unmarried women, to apply for temporary housing up until the age of 60. Those over 60 can still apply if they can live independently. Bahrain has a longstanding history of providing housing support to women. Since 2004, women have been eligible to apply as heads of households, either independently or with a husband. More recently, the scheme was expanded to include Bahraini women married to non-Bahrainis, provided their children hold Bahraini nationality. The Parliament's Public Utilities and Environment Committee found that while recent changes had addressed temporary housing, they did not extend to ownership or financing. MPs will now decide whether to align all housing services with the proposed new age limit. The committee has expressed support for the proposal, believing it would ensure long-term housing assistance for women in need.
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Bahrain: Proposal on construction work timing is approved
Bahrain - A proposal to prohibit construction, demolition, digging or drilling during specified hours or days in residential neighbourhoods was approved by the Shura Council unanimously yesterday. Five members, led by Leena Qassim, last year proposed the inclusion of a new article to the 1977 Buildings Law to restrict work during certain hours and days following public complaints. Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh had forwarded it to the public utilities and environment affairs committee for review in March. Mr Al Saleh The panel recommended that it be given the go-ahead following an additional amendment to include 'exceptions' that would be determined by the responsible ministry. Public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Dr Mohammed Hassan said a balanced approach was necessary to protect people's peace of mind and ensure developmental progress is not disrupted. Dr Al Hassan 'There are work and submission deadlines for projects that should be respected and sometimes it is required that work is done at night,' he said. 'This comes as to ensure people are able to go to work or school without getting stuck in traffic.' Ms Qassim Ms Qassim said Bahrain was witnessing a surge in urban development that has seen the emergence of new social housing towns and projects and generally an increase in the number of housing units, apartment buildings and residential villas. 'The construction sector continues to grow with numerous real estate and social homes financing programmes launched by the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry,' she added. 'However, contractors of road, sewage and electricity and water infrastructure projects cannot show up on site whenever they like and start their work. 'Why can't construction work be done in a sensible way? Residents must be alerted about the timings or noise buffers must be used.' Member Dr Fatima Al Kooheji suggested that the ban should be extended to include educational areas. Dr Al Kooheji 'Students find it difficult to concentrate and focus when there are construction, demolition, digging or drilling work ongoing,' she added. 'Imagine if it is exam time.' Member Dr Abdulaziz Abul said the issue was irritating especially when people are trying to rest during the weekend and public holidays. 'Also, working early in the morning robs people of much-needed sleep as they try going to work or school.' Meanwhile, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak said the restrictions sought in the law were already being implemented through the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law. He also pointed out that the chosen law is wrong considering it deals with construction regulations related to permits, and technical and structural assessment and has no reference whatsoever to timings. 'The Supreme Council for the Environment can easily tackle the issue of noise through its jurisdictions and authorities,' he said. 'Environmental rules deal with pollution including noise levels and work timings. 'However, we believe that the amended version gives us flexibility to decide on necessary action should there be a need to work off days or hours whenever the legislation is passed.' Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi pointed out that determining work hours would come under her authority as head of urban planning and development. Meanwhile, Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah stressed the need to better communicate with citizens and residents regarding the timings of construction work. The legislation will be now drafted as a proper law by the government within six months. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
