Your guide to housing grants in Dubai
Throughout history, securing shelter has always been a fundamental human need. Today, numerous countries have implemented housing schemes to support citizens in need of housing. The UAE government has also established housing grants and benefit schemes to promote the well-being of its citizens. Let’s dive into understanding the housing grants in Dubai for UAE citizens and how one can apply for them.
Housing grants in Dubai
The UAE government offers free housing and home loans for UAE citizens who require assistance. These housing aid schemes ensure that all citizens can access quality housing, a basic necessity. There are currently two ways to apply for a housing grant in Dubai.
The first major housing scheme in the UAE is the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme. This scheme offers eligible UAE citizens housing aid to either purchase a new house or renovate their current home. This housing grant in Dubai also offers interest-free loans repayable over 25 years to UAE nationals with low incomes.
Alternatively, a housing grant in Dubai for UAE nationals is the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBHRE). This scheme offers housing for UAE citizens specifically based in Dubai, offering housing grants for plots, houses and maintenance.
Let’s get into these two housing grants in Dubai in detail.
Sheikh Zayed Housing Scheme
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Scheme for Emirati citizens was launched in 1999 to provide housing aid to divorced women, orphans, widows and the working class who cannot afford their own homes in the UAE.
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Scheme offers different types of housing aid. This includes assitance for constructing, buying and amending a house that is already constructed. Aid is given in the form of housing grants in Dubai, loans or government housing (depending on each case). It is to be noted that the loans granted are interest-free and repayable over a 25-year period.
Eligibility for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Scheme
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Scheme is available solely to UAE citizens with a family book and an Emirates ID.
If the individual’s wife is not a UAE citizen, he must have children with her to be eligible. Alternatively, they should be married for at least 7 years. The criteria for applying for this housing grant in Dubai are as follows:
- The applicant should not have a suitable residence for living at the time of applying for aid. In addition, they should not have disposed of a suitable dwelling owned by them in the last 10 years.
- The applicant must not have previously received government housing aid within the past ten years.
- The applicant should not have the financial means to own a suitable home or complete their house’s construction.
- To qualify for financial assistance, the applicant’s income should be more than AED 15k and less than AED 100k.
It is also available for the following people:
- People of Determination (special needs)
- Senior citizens
- Orphans
- Custodial widows and custodial divorcees
- Persons with unknown parentage
- Women married to non-citizens
How to apply for a housing grant in Dubai through the Sheikh Zayed Housing Scheme
You can submit your application for a housing grant through the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s official website. They have detailed the documents needed right before you start.
Select your gender, marital status and ‘category’. Then click on ‘Start Service’. You can then log in with your UAE Pass and apply for your housing aid.
Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE)
The Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment is a scheme for housing grants and aid in Dubai. Launched in 2007, it is specifically for UAE nationals from Dubai and offers housing grants, plots and maintenance assistance to UAE citizens in need.
MBRHE offers the following forms of housing aids and grants in Dubai:
- Grants for residential plots
- Grants for government houses
- Provides ready houses
- Maintenance and extension of the current houses
- Housing loans (as per the policies and standards of MBHRE)
To apply for a housing grant, loan or home in Dubai through MBHRE online, visit the MBHRE official website and select the ‘service’ button at the bottom of the screen. You can then choose between housing grants, loans and complimentary services (such as requesting for a Typical Villa, Housing maintenance and more).
Then, to log in to the MBHRE page, you will require your UAE Pass, so make sure you have the app ready. Once you’ve done your grant registration in Dubai with MBHRE, you can just log in with your Emirates ID number. You will receive an OTP, with which you can log in easily.
FAQS ABOUT HOUSING PROGRAMMES IN DUBAI
Do UAE citizens have to pay the Dubai Municipality housing fee?
No, UAE Nationals are exempt from paying the Dubai Municipality housing charges. This fee is only for expatriates living in the city.
Can I apply for MBRHE in person?
Yes, simply head over to one of their office locations. The Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment centres are located in the following areas:
- Hatta Area, Dubai Hatta Road
- Typical Villa Centre, Al Qouz 2 – MBRHE complex
- Gulf Vision Government Transactions, Al Qusais 1
- Service 1: Area 2071, Ground Floor, Emirates Towers
- High-Level Government Transactions: Palm Strip Mall
What is a typical villa?
The typical villa initiative is part of the MBHRE scheme, offering a variety of affordable fixed-model villas for Emirati families. These villas are available for UAE nationals in Dubai who have received approvals for housing assistance from MBHRE. They must also have their own land in Dubai. These high-quality villa projects are managed from start to finish by the MBRHE.
Can expats buy property in Dubai?
Yes, expats can buy property in freehold areas in Dubai. There are two types of property ownership in Dubai: freehold and leasehold. While ownership of leasehold properties is at 99 years, freehold property ownership gives absolute ownership.
How can I buy housing land in Dubai?
The process of applying for housing land in Dubai is fairly straightforward. Once you find the right plot, you will sign an MoU (memorandum of understanding). Then, you will apply for an NOC and transfer the property’s ownership. You can check out our in-depth housing land buying guide, which covers the purchasing, financing and other legalities.
Knowing your rights as a UAE citizen can be helpful when making decisions and planning your life’s next stages. Discover more regulations and initiatives in the UAE with MyBayut, the region’s biggest property blog.
