His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved a new batch of housing support beneficiaries in the Emirate of Sharjah, allocated specifically for urgent cases.
The approved package carries a total budget of AED335 million.
A total of 431 Emirati families will benefit from this initiative. Of these, 133 families are currently living in rented housing, 201 families are residing in overcrowded homes with relatives, 61 families live in inherited homes, and 36 families are living in old or structurally unsafe houses. All recipients fall under the grant category and will receive ready-built government housing.
The announcement was made by Khalid bin Butti Al Muhairi, chairman of the Sharjah Department of Housing, during a phone-in segment broadcast by Sharjah Broadcasting Authority.
Read: UAE housing sector achieves over $17 billion milestone in support for citizens
UAE continues federal push to strengthen housing sector
The Sharjah initiative is part of the UAE’s broader efforts to bolster its federal housing sector, improve social stability, and enhance the quality of life across the nation.
These developments reflect the country’s long-term vision to remain a global leader in urban development and citizen well-being.
In H1 2025, the UAE Cabinet approved housing decisions for 1,838 citizens, with a total value of AED1.2 billion under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program. Since its inception, the program has delivered AED63 billion in housing support, benefiting more than 93,000 Emirati citizens. This underscores the nation’s commitment to empowering families and ensuring adequate housing as a cornerstone of social stability.
Strategic reforms drive efficiency and impact
Over recent years, the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program has undergone a series of strategic improvements aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing wait times, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Between 2021 and 2024, key performance indicators showed significant progress:
- Decision issuance times were reduced by more than 50 percent
- Home ownership among citizens rose to 91 percent, up from 74 percent in 2017
- Private sector financing contributed 76 percent of the total housing funding
These outcomes are a direct result of effective financial policies and expanded public-private partnerships, particularly with the banking sector, reflecting the UAE’s focus on financial sustainability and service innovation.
New long-term financing policy announced through 2041
In a major move to sustain housing development, the UAE Cabinet recently approved a new financing policy for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, extending through 2041. The plan includes issuing 40,000 housing support decisions in four phases.
The first phase will see the release of 13,000 decisions at an estimated cost of AED11.5 billion, effectively doubling the annual volume of approvals compared to previous years. The new model integrates federal government resources with national bank financing, helping reduce pressure on public finances while offering flexible solutions for citizens.
“Darak” platform unifies housing services for citizens
To streamline services, the Ministry also launched “Darak”, a national housing platform that offers citizens access to advisory services and construction packages through a unified digital window.
The platform was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Possibilities, the Social Solidarity Fund for Ministry of Interior Employees, and various local housing programs. It is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience and modernize service delivery in the housing sector.
