AN urgent proposal to stop families being evicted from dilapidated government apartment buildings until suitable alternative accommodation is offered, will be high on the agenda for discussion as MPs meet today.
Five MPs, led by Bahrainisation Committee chairman Ebrahim Al Nefaei, have submitted the proposal for immediate inclusion in a bid to get a new deal for those facing a housing dilemma.
In comes after revelations that almost half the families involved have refused to budge and would rather risk staying in dangerous, crumbling accommodation than take up a ‘limited time’ payment offer to move into smaller rental accommodation.
“We want the evictions suspended until a better deal is tabled allowing families to confidently move out, happy in the knowledge that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mr Al Nefaei.
The Housing Ministry announced earlier this month that a total of 240 apartment buildings would be demolished to pave way for modern housing projects.
The apartments – comprising 1,736 housing units ranging from 67sqm to 116sqm – were built between 1976 and 1981 in Umm Al Hassam, Sanabis, Muharraq, Busaiteen, Hidd and Isa Town and have crumbled over the passage of time.
The Housing Ministry wants to bulldoze the properties and build 6,750 spacious units in their place – each with a minimum 160sqm area, modern facilities, services and infrastructure.
Hundreds of other worn out apartments will be renovated at the same time.
The ministry introduced BD200 monthly accommodation payments for two years to the families affected but so far more than half of them have refused to accept the terms and move out.
Small
They say the amount is too small and they are not confident that in two years their new homes will be available and want an extended time period, just in case of delays.
“Families are refusing to leave their apartments because BD200 is not enough to cover the rent for the smallest of apartments, with BD250 an average price,” claimed Mr Al Nefaei.
“These families are mostly poor and can barely afford living expenses. Forcing them to make up for any additional expense is wrong.
“Also, the rental allowance only covers a two-year period. What happens to them if a suitable replacement home is not forthcoming? We do not want to see these families on the street.”
Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Khalid Bu Onk claims that eviction procedures were progressing at a slow pace because the options were not satisfactory.
“Many of these old apartments have been family homes for multiple generations and may have up to 10 members of a family living in them,” he said.
“Of course, people are not going to willingly move into a smaller apartment, even if one was available for BD200, which is highly unlikely in any case. They would probably prefer to die in the rubble. Everyone has to be happy with the ministry’s deal.”
Housing Ministry assistant under-secretary Redha Al Adraj indicated earlier this month that the apartments on the list to be demolished were in a derelict condition and could collapse at any moment.
He added that the foundations of the buildings had started to crumble and the ceilings of toilets, kitchens and rooms were falling apart.
Mr Al Adraj explained that the material used for construction decades ago was not of the high standard used today.
“We are racing against time to get tenants evacuated and we have managed to get 860 apartments cleared, which is 54.37pc of the total number of units,” said Mr Al Adraj.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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