The UAE government has allocated $1.36 billion in the 2017-2019 budget for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, so as to provide Emirati citizens with decent living standards and ensure social wellbeing and economic welfare in the country.

According to a report by WAM, the state news agency, a total of $438.3 million has been earmarked for the programme in the 2019 federal budget. This is almost the same amount allocated as part of the 2018 and 2017 budgets, figures released by the Minister of Finance showed.

The establishment of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in 1999 came as a coronation to the policy adopted by the UAE’s late founder, which has been followed by President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

This programme will ensure decent housing for local families of different economic and social levels, taking into account the priority for special cases, such as orphans, widows, aged people and People of Determination, the report added.