Muscat – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning provided over RO30mn as assistance to build houses for low-income families in 2021, 85 per cent more than the amounted given in 2020.

The Housing Assistance Programme implemented by the ministry provides low-income families help to build a house worth RO20,000 or buy a house or flat at a cost of RO25,000.

Last year, the ministry approved 103 applications in Muscat (RO2.5mn), 249 applications in Dhofar (RO5.8mn), 41 applications in Musandam (RO950,000) and 102 applications in Buraimi (RO2.5mn).
The ministry also approved 64 applications in Dakhliyah (RO1.5mn), 113 applications in North Batinah (RO3mn), 86 applications in South Batinah (RO2mn), 278 applications in South Sharqiyah (RO6.6mn), 126 applications in North Sharqiyah (RO3mn), 102 applications in Dhahirah (RO2.4mn) and 12 applications in Wusta (RO300,000).

The total assistance of RO30,640,945 was for 1,276 applicants, compared to RO16,565,191 provided to a total of 693 applicants in 2020.

In May this year, the Council of Ministers announced that citizens who benefit from the Housing Assistance Programme – for families earning less than RO450 in monthly wages – would be exempted from paying outstanding dues.