A call has been made to abolish the income ceiling for citizens who applied for housing in 2004 or earlier and, after years of waiting, are now seeking alternative solutions.
The proposal by five MPs led by Hamad Al Doy has been formally referred to Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee for review.
It aims to give citizens greater freedom in selecting the most suitable housing option, regardless of their income level.
“The income ceiling has created unnecessary barriers for many long-waiting applicants,” said Mr Al Doy.
“People who applied decades ago – some before 2004 – should not be penalised by a rigid salary cap that does not reflect today’s economic realities. This proposal restores fairness and offers citizens the flexibility they deserve.”
The MPs believe their proposal, if implemented, would ensure fairness among applicants and give them equal access to services. They also argued that the newly introduced income ceiling ‘does not reflect the present cost of living and should be removed’.
The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry, in its official response, explained that the alternative-housing programme was introduced upon directives from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. It currently offers three main options for applicants with requests dating back to 2004 and earlier:
1. A serviced residential plot with BD40,000 in Tas’heel financing for citizens earning below BD900, with a two-year continuation of the housing allowance.
2. A housing apartment supported by a BD3,000 grant and a two-year exemption from joint-maintenance fees, also for those earning below BD900.
3. BD70,000 Tas’heel financing plus a non-refundable BD10,000 grant for applicants earning BD900 and above.
The ministry noted that applicants may choose not to benefit from these options and remain on the waiting list for allocation from upcoming housing projects.
Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi said alternative solutions were designed to accelerate access to adequate housing for citizens with long-standing applications.
“We remain committed to offering diverse and flexible pathways, and we appreciate Parliament’s ongoing engagement with housing policy,” she said.
Committee chairman MP Mohammed Al Bulooshi insisted that the proposal is a fair and necessary step that addresses concerns raised by many families.
“The committee unanimously supports the removal of the income cap to ensure equal access to alternative housing solutions,” he said.
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