Bahrain yesterday unveiled a major new chapter in its social housing programme, combining thousands of new homes, private sector investment and innovative financing models to accelerate delivery for citizens.
Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, deputising for His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, opened the Innovation Conference and Exhibition in the Social Housing Sector 2026 at Exhibition World Bahrain.
The four-day event, running until October 3 under the theme ‘Towards Innovative and Sustainable Housing Solutions’, coincides with the fourth GCC Housing Week, being hosted by Bahrain during its presidency of the 46th GCC session.
The opening brought a major development announcement, with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning signing a contract with Naseej to develop more than 2,500 homes in Khalifa City – the largest project under Bahrain’s Government Land Development Rights Programme.
The project covers 1.56 million square metres, including around 176,600sqm of green and open spaces, alongside supporting infrastructure.
Shaikh Khalid said the project demonstrated how public-private partnerships were moving from policy to large-scale delivery. “The Royal directive to provide 50,000 housing units represents a key foundation for continuing to develop housing policies and programmes,” he said.
“Achieving these targets requires us to build on what has already been accomplished and expand the adoption of innovative implementation and financing models.”
The Khalifa Town development will see Naseej design, finance, build, market and sell the homes, while also delivering the supporting infrastructure, with prices aligned with approved housing finance programmes.
Shaikh Khalid also highlighted the wider economic impact, saying expanded housing partnerships could generate activity across real estate development, construction, engineering, building materials, design and supply chains.
He later toured the exhibition, viewing new housing technologies, projects and innovative practices presented by government bodies, developers, banks and GCC participants.
Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi said the 50,000-home directive remained the ‘main reference’ guiding the ministry’s plans and priorities.
She revealed that the ministry had identified 29 real estate partnership opportunities expected to deliver more than 17,000 housing units or plots over the coming years.
“Implementing this directive requires us to continue developing our working mechanisms, accelerate delivery and create new solutions and partnerships that turn ideas into tangible projects and services,” she said.
The event provides a showcase of how Bahrain is seeking to make social housing not only a programme for delivering homes, but also a platform for innovation, investment and sustainable community development.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
Exciting housing developments – Pages 6-7
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