UAE Lawmaker Calls for Review of Housing Policy for Single and Divorced Women
The housing policy under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme has come under scrutiny, with a Federal National Council (FNC) member questioning the requirement that single and divorced Emirati women without children must wait until the age of 60 to qualify for government housing.
During an FNC session, member Saeed Al Aabdi raised concerns about the fairness of this policy, arguing that it places undue hardship on women who may have been married for only a short time. He asked, "On what basis was 60 years set as the minimum age for Emirati women to acquire housing from the government? Are they waiting for her to graduate from university at 60?"
Al Aabdi further stressed that after the age of 60, many women may face health-related challenges, making it difficult for them to fully benefit from their housing entitlements. He urged authorities to reconsider the age requirement to better support women facing difficult circumstances.
Government’s Response
Responding to the inquiry, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, explained that the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme was designed to promote family stability and ensure an adequate standard of living for citizens. He outlined that housing assistance eligibility for unmarried female citizens is determined by six main categories, including:
- Widows and divorcees with children under their custody
- Orphans of unknown parentage
- Women who have lost both parents
- Elderly female citizens
For women who do not fall into these categories, housing assistance applications must be submitted by their parents to ensure family cohesion and unity, according to the minister.
Calls for Policy Reform
Al Aabdi, who has personally benefited from the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, acknowledged recent improvements in housing approvals, citing a tweet by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announcing the processing of 13,000 housing applications within two years.
However, he highlighted ongoing challenges, stating that local authorities often cause delays. "The process is tied to a system that can take up to a year just to process a request for a housing plot," he explained. Additionally, even after receiving a plot, applicants frequently face a lack of basic infrastructure such as roads and essential services, leading to further delays of four to five years before their homes are completed.
Al Aabdi concluded by urging policymakers to review the regulation, emphasizing that it contradicts the UAE’s commitment to women’s empowerment. "Quality of life is the foundation of women's empowerment, and we don't see that reflected in this clause," he stated.
