Legislators have proposed doubling home‑repair grants to BD20,000, aiming to boost financial support for housing restoration projects and enhance private‑sector involvement.
The initiative, submitted by public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman MP Mohammed Al Bulooshi, seeks to further develop the house restoration programme implemented by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry in partnership with the private sector.
The proposal also aims to address the growing financial pressures facing homeowners due to the rising cost of construction material and inflation, which, MPs claim, have made current grants insufficient to complete essential repairs.
Mr Al Bulooshi said the initiative was designed to ensure that families living in older homes can carry out proper restoration work.
“Many beneficiaries struggle to complete necessary repairs because the current funding does not match the rising costs of building materials and labour,” he said.
“By increasing the support from BD10,000 to BD20,000 and encouraging stronger private sector participation, we can ensure that these homes are restored properly and that families live in safe and dignified conditions.”
He added that improving the programme would also strengthen structural safety in older homes and reduce health and safety risks for residents.
The Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry has indicated that it does not oppose the proposal, provided that community partnerships and private sector contributions are secured to support the programme.
Minister Wael Al Mubarak highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to improving living conditions for Bahraini families through urban development initiatives.
“The Towns and Villages Development Programme has been one of the kingdom’s leading initiatives in urban development since its launch in 2006,” he said.
“Through this programme and in co-operation with municipal councils, the ministry has restored more than 3,000 homes and installed rain insulation for more than 8,000 houses across the kingdom’s governorates.”
Mr Al Mubarak added that the ministry remains committed to mobilising all available resources to implement development plans and meet the needs of citizens.
“We will continue working with municipalities and community partners to ensure that housing conditions improve and that these projects achieve their intended social impact,” he said.
During committee discussions, representatives of the Bahrain Chamber also expressed interest in strengthening private sector participation in community development initiatives.
The chamber noted that it had previously received proposals related to private sector contributions towards the development of traditional markets, including Manama Suq, and had contacted the Bahrain Association of Banks regarding potential collaboration.
According to the chamber, the response from the banking sector had been positive, prompting suggestions that the house restoration proposal could benefit from similar partnership models.
Chamber representatives proposed establishing a specialised body to develop the programme’s vision, oversee implementation and measure performance, ensuring that both public and private stakeholders contribute effectively.
The proposal is set to be discussed by Parliament on Tuesday.
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