"Women's Housing": Distribution of 370 homes in Taima and Al-Sulaybiya to female citizens, with updates continuing until October 19

Abdullah Al-Rakan

Sheikha Bibi Al-Yousef, Chair of the Women’s Housing Committee at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, affirmed that the committee will continue distributing rented housing to female citizens based on application priority, data updates, and compliance with eligibility requirements, under the slogan “From You, To You.”

During the distribution event for female citizens in the Sulaybiya and Taima districts, Al-Yousef stated that the current allocation includes 370 units for female applicants with applications submitted up to and including 2020. She explained that the number of units distributed depends on the number of female citizens who have updated their data and met the conditions, as well as the number of housing units available to the committee from the Ministries of Interior and Defense and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare.

She added that when the committee assumed its responsibilities, the number of women’s housing applications stood at 7,111, including older applications dating back to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s that have not yet been updated. Al-Yousef urged applicants to expedite the updating of their data, noting that the committee has granted a three-month grace period starting July 19 and ending October 19. Failure to update within this deadline will result in the lapse of the housing application.

She clarified that approximately 3,900 female citizens have updated their data to date, compared to about 2,400 before July 19.

Al-Yousef emphasized the importance of avoiding significant expenditures on rented housing, as these are temporary accommodations until residents move to their new homes. She affirmed the committee’s commitment to delivering habitable housing, adding that if any unit is found to be unsuitable, a specialized committee will inspect it and take the necessary steps to replace it.

She noted that the committee has set aside a number of available units outside the lottery process to serve as replacements in cases where a unit is proven unsuitable. She called on beneficiaries to inspect their units upon receipt and report any issues or defects to the committee within the specified period.

Al-Yousef explained that the period for withdrawing from or requesting replacement of a unit is three months. A female citizen who does not wish to accept the unit within this timeframe may submit a written waiver while retaining her housing rights. However, withdrawing after a prolonged period following allocation may result in the loss of housing rights.

Regarding new housing, Al-Yousef said the committee is scheduled to receive approximately 9,000 units between January and April 2028. She confirmed that the committee has stipulated that no units will be accepted until infrastructure and essential services, including schools, clinics, cooperatives, and other facilities, are fully completed.

She added that the new alternative area for the Sulaybiya and Taima districts is part of the Affordable Housing Project named “Wabra.” The name may remain or change, with the move to the new area targeted for January 2028.

Al-Yousef affirmed that beneficiaries’ data will be updated again before the move to the new housing, given the possibility of changes in family circumstances during the coming period.

On the priority for persons with disabilities, she explained that a female housing applicant with a disability is granted a priority equivalent to five years, provided she submits a recent disability certificate and the disability is classified as moderate or severe. This priority does not apply to cases of mild disability.

Al-Yousef stressed the necessity for female citizens to occupy their allocated units within three months. She noted that inspection teams will monitor actual occupancy, and if the beneficiary is not present in the unit within this period, the unit will be reclaimed. She added that the contract will specify the number of family members benefiting from the unit, with strict adherence to the registered number required. Inspection teams will verify this in the field.

Regarding unsuitable housing, Al-Yousef explained that procedures begin with submitting a written request to the Kuwait Municipality, where the unit is inspected and appropriate measures are taken, including demolition if it is proven to be unfit for habitation.