A new drive to bring charities, businesses and government authorities together to speed up the repair and rebuilding of dilapidated homes for low-income Bahraini families has won unanimous backing from the Capital Trustees Board.
The proposal seeks to create a structured partnership between government bodies, charitable societies, civil society organisations and the private sector to tackle mounting demand for home restoration and reconstruction projects.
Capital Trustees Board services and public utilities committee chairman Mohammed Tawfeeq Al Abbas, who spearheaded the initiative, said the proposal was designed to complement existing government housing improvement programmes rather than replace them.
“Every Bahraini family deserves to live in a safe and dignified home,” Mr Al Abbas told the GDN.
“The government has made significant progress in renovating and rebuilding homes for families in need, but increasing demand and the number of houses that require complete demolition and reconstruction mean broader community participation is now essential.”
He explained that the proposal would establish a co-ordinated framework under which municipal authorities would receive applications, carry out technical inspections, assess structural risks and prioritise cases according to urgency before matching them with supporting charitable organisations and private sector partners.
“By institutionalising this partnership, we can significantly reduce waiting times, respond faster to emergency cases and ensure assistance reaches widows, orphans, senior citizens and low-income families without unnecessary delays,” he said.
“This is about transforming social solidarity into a practical and sustainable development model.”
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah praised the initiative as an example of how municipalities can serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors.
“Bahrain has a proud tradition of generosity and community spirit,” he said. “The board believes that when government expertise is combined with the resources of charities, businesses and volunteers, the impact can be multiplied. This proposal creates an organised mechanism that strengthens transparency, accountability and efficiency while improving living conditions across the Capital Governorate.”
Mr Tarradah added that reducing the number of unsafe homes would not only protect vulnerable families but also improve neighbourhoods, enhance public safety and support Bahrain’s wider urban development goals.
The proposal has also received parliamentary backing.
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman and Bahrain Chamber treasurer MP Ahmed Al Salloom described the initiative as a practical example of public-private partnership delivering tangible social benefits.
“The private sector has always played an important role in supporting national development through corporate social responsibility initiatives,” he said. “This proposal provides a clear pathway for companies to contribute directly to projects that improve citizens’ quality of life. Investing in safe housing is an investment in social stability, stronger communities and sustainable economic development.”
Mr Al Salloom, who is also Better Life Society chairman, urged businesses and philanthropic organisations to embrace the initiative, saying structured partnerships would maximise the impact of charitable contributions while ensuring resources were directed towards the families most in need.
If implemented, added Mr Al Salloom, the scheme is expected to create a streamlined process covering application intake, technical assessments, eligibility classification, funding support and project execution, helping accelerate repairs and the rebuilding of homes deemed structurally unsafe while easing pressure on existing government programmes.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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