The government has been urged to base housing eligibility solely on citizens’ basic salaries, excluding cost‑of‑living allowances from income calculations.
The proposal, led by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh and backed by four other legislators, seeks to revise housing policy to ensure support reaches those it was intended to help.
“The cost of living allowance was introduced to help families cope with rising expenses,” he said.
“When this allowance is treated as regular income for housing eligibility, it defeats its purpose and ends up excluding the very people it was meant to support.”
The explanatory memorandum attached to the proposal links the request to constitutional principles obligating the State to provide housing for limited-income citizens and to the National Action Charter’s emphasis on family stability as a pillar of society.
According to the MPs, counting allowances as income has led to eligible applicants being disqualified or receiving reduced housing support, particularly pensioners who depend on these allowances to meet essential needs.
“This is not income generated from employment,” Mr Al Mahfoodh said.
“It is a form of support. Treating it as income creates an unfair burden and reduces citizens’ chances of accessing their constitutional housing rights.”
He added that the change in income calculation had also created inequality between past and current applicants.
“In the past, basic salary was the benchmark, and that ensured equal opportunity,” he said.
“After allowances were added to the calculation, the criteria became stricter. People who applied before benefited from more flexible standards than those applying today. This creates a gap among citizens.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh described the proposal as a practical step towards social justice.
“Housing stability is directly linked to family stability,” he said.
“By correcting this calculation method, we remove an unintended obstacle that stands between citizens and their right to suitable housing.”
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