The Housing Ministry has announced it would soon hand over 20,000 properties to citizens in the Eastern Province.

Shaher Al-Sahli, general manager of the ministry in the Eastern Province, said that 13,000 beneficiaries in Dammam would receive apartments, land and loans, which would cover 35 percent of the waiting list in the city.

He said that the first stage of the ministry’s housing projects were completed in partnership with real estate developers. There have been a further 3,200 applications received by the Dhahran Exhibition Company.

He said the government has now completed its tender processes and contracted several real estate companies to start building homes for citizens. Some companies are on the verge of completing their projects, he said.

The first stage of the ministry’s rollout would include Dammam, Alkhobar, Qatif, Al-Ahsa, Hafr Al-Batin, Nairiyah and Abqaiq. He said the ministry is offering a wide range of options for citizens in the Eastern Province.

Al-Sahli said the second stage would cover about 65 percent of the waiting list, with the private sector playing a key role. “We are still holding workshops and meetings to attract developers … to solve the housing crisis.”

In addition, the ministry said it is also making sure that nine projects that have been delayed for various reasons, are completed on time. He said about 100 citizens a day seek clarification on the ministry’s programs and apply for homes.

Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif said that the Al-Sharqiya Chamber’s real estate committee is currently helping to oversee the work and reporting to his office about the quality and pricing of the houses. He said the governorate does not interfere with the developers’ work.

Prince Saud said he had ordered the local ministry officials to ensure that the rollout timetable is finalized as soon as possible.

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