Bahraini youth could soon receive housing allowance support from the start of their married life, under a new proposal unanimously approved by MPs.
The motion, submitted by MP Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, calls for housing allowances to be granted from the date of marriage, rather than after the current five‑year waiting period that only starts once an application is submitted.
Dr Al Nuaimi said the proposal aims to ease financial pressures on newlyweds and strengthen family stability.
“The first years of marriage are the most financially demanding, and delaying housing support for five years places unnecessary strain on young families,” he said.
“Providing the allowance from the date of marriage will help couples start their lives with greater security and dignity.”
Backing the proposal, MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh described the existing requirement as inconsistent with social justice.
“A Bahraini citizen receives other government allowances, such as cost-of-living and meat subsidies, from the first month of marriage,” he said.
“So why is housing allowance treated differently and postponed for five years without a clear or logical justification?”
He noted that marriage contracts are official state documents binding on all government entities, and the Housing Ministry should apply the same principle used by other ministries.
MPs said the proposal reflects growing concern over rising living costs and divorce rates in the early years of marriage, and stressed that stronger housing support is essential to protecting the cohesion of the Bahraini family.
Also unanimously approved were four other proposals, which were referred to the Cabinet for review:
1. Acquiring Al Malaki Specialist Hospital in East Riffa and converting it into a government maternity hospital in the Southern Governorate.
2. Calling upon the Education Ministry to adopt comprehensive educational and training measures to better support students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in both public and private schools.
3. Raising the maximum income limit for nationals to benefit from housing services to BD2,500 from the current BD1,200 – unless given exception by the Housing and Urban Planning Minister.
4. Renovating homes for low-income citizens across Bahrain. The initiative seeks to establish a national platform called ‘Restoration’ under the supervision of the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry. The platform would co-ordinate with the ministries of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, and Social Development to monitor and renovate dilapidated homes, using funding from the state budget as well as grants and donations.
An urgent proposal calling for the restoration of the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association (BCAA) building and the allocation of a sustainable annual budget to support its cultural and artistic programmes has been unanimously approved by MPs.
The proposal, by five legislators led by Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, has been referred to the Cabinet for review.
Mr Ibrahim stressed that the BCAA has long been a cornerstone of the kingdom’s art scene, locally and internationally.
“The association has played a pivotal role in organising exhibitions and international gatherings that attract artists from across the world,” he said.
“These activities have strengthened cultural exchange and positioned Bahrain as a regional centre for contemporary art.”
Parliament also approved an urgent proposal to issue a statement on the 25th anniversary of the National Action Charter and deputised Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to issue it on their behalf.
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