Al-Yousef: Distribution of 370 homes to female citizens with pending applications by 2020

- The committee is committed to delivering habitable housing units; if any unit is found to be uninhabitable, it will be replaced immediately.

- Female citizens have been granted a three-month deadline to update their data, which expires on October 19.

- Only 3,900 out of 7,111 female citizens have updated their data so far.

Sheikha Bibi Al-Yousef, head of the Women’s Housing Committee at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW), confirmed that the committee continues its efforts to distribute rental housing units to female citizens based on application priority, data updates, and compliance with required conditions. She noted that this initiative is carried out under the slogan “From You, To You,” and that the current distribution includes 370 units for female applicants whose applications were submitted in 2020 or earlier.

This announcement was made during the Women’s Housing Committee’s distribution session held today for female citizens in the Sulaybiya and Taima districts who have rental housing applications, have updated their data, and received notifications via the “Sahel” app. The event took place in the Abbas Ma’arifi Hall (PAHW Theater).

Al-Yousef explained that the distribution is limited to 370 units, despite covering applications from 2020 and earlier, because the committee relies solely on female citizens who have updated their data and met the required conditions. She added that the number of units distributed depends on the availability of housing units provided to the committee by the Ministries of Interior and Defense, as well as the PAHW.

She urged female citizens receiving rental housing units to avoid incurring additional expenses on these units, as they are temporary accommodations until they move to their new permanent homes. She emphasized that the committee is committed to delivering habitable units and that any unit found to be uninhabitable will be inspected by a specialized committee and replaced.

Al-Yousef clarified that when the committee assumed its responsibilities, there were 7,111 women’s housing applications on file. She noted that some of these are old applications dating back to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, whose data have not yet been updated.

She added that the committee granted female citizens a three-month period to update their data, starting on July 19 and ending on October 19. She warned that failure to update within the specified deadline will result in the cancellation of the housing application.

She pointed out that only about 3,900 female citizens have updated their data so far, urging the remaining applicants to expedite the process to ensure their applications remain active and they can benefit from their housing requests. She noted that before July 19, only 2,400 female citizens had updated their data.

Regarding new housing units, Al-Yousef stated that the committee is scheduled to receive approximately 9,000 units in January and April 2028. She explained that the committee has stipulated that no units will be accepted until the infrastructure and basic services in the area are fully completed, including schools, clinics, associations, and other facilities, to ensure that female citizens move into fully serviced areas.

On the priority given to persons with disabilities, Al-Yousef clarified 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.

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 housing unit is found to be uninhabitable. She stressed the importance of beneficiaries visiting their assigned unit immediately after handover and reporting any issues or defects to the committee within the specified period, so that necessary repairs or replacements can be carried out if the unit is deemed uninhabitable. She added that the replacement period is valid for three months to allow for substitution if the unit is not fit for habitation.

Regarding uninhabitable units, Al-Yousef stated, “After submitting a formal request to the Kuwait Municipality, the unit is inspected and subsequently demolished.”

Regarding the new alternative area for the Salibiya and Timma housing, Al-Yousef clarified that it is part of the affordable housing project, named “Wabra.” She noted that the name may remain or change, and that the target date for relocation is January 2028.

She affirmed that the regulations applied to beneficiaries will continue upon moving to the new housing, emphasizing the need to update data given the possibility of changes in family circumstances in the coming period.

She stressed the necessity for the citizen to occupy the assigned residence within three months, explaining that inspection teams will monitor actual occupancy. If the beneficiary is not present in the residence within this period, the unit will be revoked.

She indicated that the usufruct contract will specify the number of beneficiaries from the family, reaffirming the need to adhere to the registered number, as inspection teams will monitor this on-site.

She explained that a citizen who withdraws her interest in the residence within the first three months may submit a written relinquishment while retaining her housing entitlement. However, withdrawal after a prolonged period following the allocation of the residence may result in the loss of her housing entitlement.