A guide to Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in Dubai
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in Dubai was introduced as a roadmap for a new development phase in the country. This initiative aims to provide affordable and sustainable housing solutions to Emiratis. Join us as we give you a brief insight into this programme and what it offers.
SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME IN DUBAI – AN OVERVIEW
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme (SZHP) is an initiative by the UAE government to provide affordable housing solutions to the Emiratis. Launched in 1999, the programme aims to enhance the quality of life for UAE nationals by offering financial assistance and support for housing construction, maintenance and development.
It provides interest-free loans to eligible citizens repayable over the period of 25-years. The financial support is tailored to meet the specific needs of each beneficiary.
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in Dubai also oversees the development of residential communities and housing units across the UAE. These projects are designed to offer modern, comfortable and well-equipped living spaces that meet the needs of Emirati families.
In 2023, SZHP issued 4,334 housing approvals valued over AED 3.33B. These approvals included 3,309 housing loans and 1,025 grants. The Director General of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme also revealed that 801 government houses were allocated among residential compounds across Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
For the second quarter of 2024, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai approved 2,160 new housing grants worth AED 1.68B.
SERVICES OFFERED BY THE PROGRAMME
UPDATE YOUR HOUSING ASSISTANCE DATA
You can update the information on housing assistance request via SZHP service channel. It can be done by the user himself or by the concerned department (if requested). The updated info may affect the type and amount of housing assistance allocated.
Please note that the essential documents need to be approved by relevant authorities and require a stamp. In some cases, digital stamp is acceptable. To update your housing assistance data, you can follow the process below.
- Login using UAE Pass account
- Fill in the required details
- Attach required documents
- Submit
CONSULTANT AND CONTRACTOR SERVICES
Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in Dubai provides services to both contractors and consultants. Let’s take a look at the set of services offered.
FOR CONTRACTORS
- New contract registration
- Contract renewal
- Consultant payment
- Project site coordinates
- Site delivery Mahdar
- Mobadra payment
- Adding a new bank account number
FOR CONSULTANTS
- New consultant registration
- Consultant renewal
- Consultant payment
- Contract end request
- Period extension
- Contract value change request
- Maintenance request
- Contractor change request
- Project site coordinates
- Site delivery Mahdar
- Mobadra payment
- Adding a new bank account number
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in Dubai provides substantial financial support to UAE nationals through a combination of interest-free loans and grants.
Interest-free loans alleviate the financial burden of homeownership, making it more accessible and manageable for many families. Additionally, for low-income families and those with special needs, SZHP offers grants that cover the entire or partial cost of housing.
This comprehensive financial assistance ensures that all eligible UAE nationals have the opportunity to secure affordable and quality housing, contributing to improved living standards and social stability across the nation.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SZHP
If you want to apply for housing assistance via SZHP, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria.
- The applicant must be a UAE national with valid family data and Emirates ID.
- The applicant has to be the sole earner in a female family. Both children and wife should be Emiratis.
- In case of a non-Emirati wife, you can apply for the assistance after completing 7 years of marriage.
- You should not be the owner of a suitable dwelling for habitation.
- The applicant must not have previously obtained housing assistance for any government agency in the UAE.
- The applicant should not have previously disposed of a suitable home in a transferable manner (unless a period of 10 year or more has elapsed from the date of disposal).
- The applicant must not be financially sound.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
- Must have an authorised special needs card
- Should be male
- Must be 21-years old
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
- Must have an authorised senior citizen card
- Must be 60-years old or more
CRITERIA FOR ORPHANS
- Deceased father
- Should be younger than 21-years old
- Mother must not be entitled to housing assistance
- One housing assistance is granted to the orphan siblings
FOR CUSTODIAL WIDOW
- Deceased husband
- Must be custodian of male children under the age of 24-years
- Must not be married or working
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTODIAL DIVORCEE
- The applicant must be at least 30-years old
- Period of divorce should be more than five years
- Custodian for children whose father cannot provide suitable accommodation
FOR PEOPLE WITH UNKNOWN ANCESTRY
- The applicant should be able to prove that she is of unknown ancestry (both father and mother should be unknown) by a court ruling
- Should be at least 30-years old
- Social research proof conducted by the Ministry or the competent authority
IN CASE OF BOTH ORPHAN PARENTS
- The applicant should be female
- She should be able to prove that she is of an unknown ancestry by court ruling
- Deceased parents
- Should not be less than 30-years old
- Must be unmarried, widowed or divorced
- Must not have children or children beyond the age of custody
- Proof of social research conducted by the Ministry or a competent authority to prove it is impossible to continue living with her family
IN CASE OF A WOMAN MARRIED TO A NON-UAE CITIZEN
- Must be at least 40-years old
- Have sons younger than 24-years who are unmarried, unemployed
- Have unmarried or unemployed daughters
- Her children must be UAE citizens
- Husband is unable to provide suitable housing
- A period of no less than 10-years has elapsed since the marriage
SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME REGISTRATION PROCESS
You can apply for Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme online via UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure’s official website. Or you can visit the Happiness Service Centres. These centres are located in Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
You will need the following documents to get Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme Dubai certification.
- Salary certificate (for employed individuals)
- Other documents as per the emirate where you reside (ownership certificates or trading licenses)
Let’s now take a look at additional documents which may be required according to your category status.
DIVORCEE FOSTER
- A decision certificate granted by the court proving the custody of children
- A non-marriage certificate issued by the court indicating the applicant has obtained financial assistance in her capacity as a divorcee
- Court certificate indicating that the father has failed to provide housing
FOSTER WIDOW
- Proof of inheritance inventory issued by the court
- A certificate of non-marriage issued by the court or a certificate stating that the applicant obtained a retirement pension for her deceased husband
ORPHANS
- Death certificate of the father
UNKNOWN PARENTAGE
- Court’s decision proving that the applicant is of unknown parentage
LOST PARENTS
- Death certificates of both father and mother
MARRIED TO NON-EMIRATI
- Husband’s passport
- Proof of husband’s monthly income
- Certificate of a real property and commercial license issued by the competent authorities in the emirate to husband
- Marriage certificate
- Copy of children’s passport
SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME LOCATIONS AND CONTACTS
The SZHP customer service centres are located in three emirates.
Emirate | Address | Contact | Timings |
|---|---|---|---|
Emirate Dubai | Address Marrakesh Street, Umm Ramool | Contact 800-6634 | Timings Monday to Wednesday, 07:30 am – 02:00 pm | Friday, 07:30 am – 12:00 pm | Closed on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday |
Emirate Ras Al Khaimah | Address Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road | Contact 800-6634 | Timings Monday to Wednesday, 07:30 am – 02:00 pm | Friday, 07:30 am – 12:00 pm | Closed on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday |
Emirate Fujairah | Address Sakkam Street | Contact 800-6634 | Timings Monday to Wednesday, 07:30 am – 02:00 pm | Friday, 07:30 am – 12:00 pm | Closed on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday |
FAQS
IS SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME AND MINISTRY OF ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE SAME?
SZHP was merged with Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure in 2020.
CAN I APPEAL ON THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE AMOUNT ALLOCATED?
Yes, you can apply for reconsideration of housing assistance decision. You can appeal to the rejection decision and even contest the assistance amount allocated. However, you are required to do so within the 60 days from the date of issuance of decision.
WHO CANNOT APPLY FOR THE SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME?
An individual with following characteristics is not eligible to apply for the programme.
- Non-UAE citizens
- Owner of one or more properties
- Owner or partner in any commercial activities with monthly financial returns of more than AED 100k
WHAT IS THE SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME DUBAI CONTACT NUMBER?
You can contact the SZHP regulatory authority at 800-6634.
IS THERE ANY OTHER HOUSING PROGRAMME I CAN APPLY FOR?
Yes, the UAE government works tirelessly to facilitate the locals. Besides SZHP, you can consider applying for loans and grants via the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE).
And on that note we wrap our guide to the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme. The government also has other housing grants in Dubai that play a crucial role in promoting social stability and enhancing the welfare of Emiratis by ensuring access to safe, affordable and high-quality housing.
Want to build your dream home in the city? Here’s how to apply for housing land in Dubai.
You can also benefit from learning about Dubai municipality housing fee which is an additional annual charge for expatriates living in Dubai.
