The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in Bahrain has recently announced a new housing decision that has been approved by the Council of Ministers. This decision brings several new benefits for applicants, aiming to simplify the process and make it more accessible for individuals in need of housing. One of the key changes in the decision involves the age limit for children listed in applications. Previously, applications would be transferred to a child once they reached the age of 21. However, the new decision exempts single mothers and widows with minor children from this requirement, allowing them to retain their applications even if their children exceed the age limit.
In addition to the changes in the age limit for children, the new decision also simplifies the income eligibility criteria for applicants. Now, applicants will only need to meet the income requirements at the time of application, and any subsequent changes to the income eligibility criteria will not affect their applications. This change aims to make the process more straightforward and ensure that individuals are not disqualified due to changes in their financial situation.
Another significant amendment in the new decision is the elimination of the requirement for a spouse to not have inherited property in order to be eligible for housing services. This change is meant to prioritize providing housing for all segments of society, while also ensuring the continuity of housing applications by maintaining the eligibility criteria met by the head of the household. These changes have been made following collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches, as well as incorporating feedback and suggestions from citizens.
According to Mariam Al Fliti, Director of the Beneficiary Service Directorate at the Ministry, these suggestions were received through various channels such as the National System for Proposals and Complaints, the Customer Service Center, parliamentary offices, social media platforms, and radio broadcasts. The aim of these changes is to make the housing application process more inclusive and accessible for all individuals in need of housing assistance, while also taking into account the specific needs of single mothers, widows, and other vulnerable groups in society.
Overall, the new housing decision approved by the Council of Ministers in Bahrain introduces several key benefits for applicants, including exemptions for single mothers and widows with minor children from the age limit requirement, simplification of income eligibility criteria, and the removal of the inheritance property requirement for spouses. These changes have been made to ensure the continuity of housing applications and prioritize housing for all segments of society. Collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches have led to these amendments, which aim to make the housing application process more accessible and inclusive for all individuals in need of housing assistance.
