Dubai: The CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, Mohammed Hassan Al Shehhi, revealed the development of the citizens’ housing system through options that go beyond the allocation of land and traditional loans, to include providing ready-made homes within integrated complexes, and taking over the construction work on behalf of the beneficiaries.
He noted that a surprise will be announced soon, which is in the form of models for rapid construction that allow the completion of the home within six months instead of 18 months, and at a cost of about 30% less, which reduces the financial and time burdens on citizens.
He stressed that the foundation is working to provide multiple options that suit the needs and circumstances of citizens, noting that the Al Khawaneej Residences project, which includes 1,050 residences, has witnessed remarkable demand, prompting a large number of citizens to change their requests from obtaining land to ready-made residences, due to the integrated residential environment that the project provides, and the opportunity for members of the same family, including fathers, sons, and brothers, to be close to each other.
In detail, Al-Shehhi said in an interview with the Arab Cast platform that the institution achieved first place in employee and customer happiness for four years, stressing that the nature of its work imposes a special responsibility on it, as it is a service institution that deals directly with citizens and provides its services to its community and people, which makes housing a top priority for it.
He pointed out that there is more than one way to obtain housing, as the citizen can benefit from the grant or loan allocated for the land, and then undertake to build his house himself. The unified forms service is also provided, under which the institution undertakes the construction procedures for beneficiaries of grants and loans, by appointing the consultant and contractor and supervising the implementation stages, until the citizen receives the keys to his house.
A third option is ready-made residential complexes, where the institution undertakes the construction of an integrated complex, so that the citizen does not have to get into the details of dealing with contractors and consultants or bear the burdens of following up on construction work, but rather obtains a ready-made home within an integrated residential environment.
He stated that the Al Khawaneej project, which includes 1,050 homes, represents one of the most prominent residential complexes implemented by the Foundation, and has been well received by citizens. He pointed out that a large number of them changed their requests from obtaining land to obtaining ready-made housing, after they experienced the advantages that the project provides, especially the possibility of children, parents, and siblings living in one residential area.
He added that the foundation takes this aspect into account when allocating housing, as it considers applications, names, and family ties, and seeks to group members of the same family in nearby locations whenever possible, in order to strengthen family bonds and give families the opportunity to live close to each other.
In order to accelerate the completion of housing and reduce its cost, Al-Shehhi revealed the allocation of land and the formation of a specialised team for rapid construction, which studies the models and materials available in the markets, and looks for the best solutions that achieve speed of completion and reduce the cost, noting that the institution is working on new models that it intends to announce soon.
He explained that this initiative targets individual cases, so that the time required to build a villa can be reduced from about 18 months to six months, with a cost reduction of about 30%, which represents an important shift in reducing the time and financial burden on the citizen, and accelerating his move to his home.
He explained that customer requests vary even when they apply for the same service, clarifying that dealing with each case requires listening to the person and understanding their circumstances, and not being satisfied with applying a uniform procedure to everyone.
He said that a citizen may come to the institution with a complaint, so it is necessary to contain him and listen to him, and not to be satisfied with the summary that the employee may convey about the problem, as he sometimes makes sure to listen to the applicant himself, so that the whole picture becomes clear, and a solution can be sought that suits his circumstances.
He added that the organisation does not rely solely on electronic platforms and personal interviews, but also organises meetings in residential neighbourhoods to listen to the residents. It also makes sure, before starting to implement any project, to identify the needs and suggestions of the residents, present the designs to them, and benefit from their choices in developing the project.
He pointed out that some cases require coordination with other government agencies, such as Dubai Municipality and the Community Development Authority, to study the social and humanitarian circumstances of the citizen, and the matter may reach the point of changing the location of the land allocated to him if that contributes to strengthening family ties or addressing a specific need.
He stressed that his instructions to the team are based on not postponing addressing problems, and seeking immediate solutions whenever possible, citing cases in which a citizen’s complaint reaches the institution and the team takes the initiative to study the problem and move to address it before the person returns home.
Al-Shehhi explained that the institution’s responsibility does not stop at handing over the housing units, as the housing system includes following up on maintenance work for two years after handover, in coordination with the main contractor and subcontractors, so that the citizen does not have to look for external parties to address any issues that may appear in the house during this period.
He added that the institution manages residential complexes and monitors their needs, being the entity most familiar with their details. Regulations also allow citizens, after 10 years, to submit requests for maintenance or additions, in accordance with the established conditions. The institution forms a technical team to assess the house and determine its needs, which may, in some cases, necessitate replacing the house or making substantial alterations to it.
Regarding citizens whose financial circumstances change after obtaining financing and building their homes, Al-Shehhi stressed that the institution takes these cases into account and does not deal with them as mere financial obligations, but rather studies the circumstances that led to the default and looks for solutions that suit each case.
He explained that some citizens may be able to meet their loan repayment obligations when they first receive the financing, but then circumstances arise that affect their income and ability to repay. In these cases, reducing or freezing the instalment for specific periods can be considered. There are also cases where individuals may benefit from loan forgiveness according to applicable regulations.
He pointed out that the foundation also deals with humanitarian and emergency cases, including cases that require providing housing for a family during difficult weather conditions, in response to directives issued in such circumstances.
Al-Shehhi touched on the Foundation’s experience during the low-pressure system known as Al Hadeer, stressing that it revealed the importance of coordination and integration between government agencies and work teams in Dubai, and also showed the need for proactive preparation to deal with the effects of rain on homes.
He explained that some old houses may be affected over time, especially with modifications made by their owners that may affect the insulation systems. Therefore, the foundation launched a proactive campaign before the rainy season to re-examine the insulation systems in houses that have been built for more than a year, and to address any issues that may affect their ability to withstand rain.
Al-Shehhi stressed that the foundation is taking into account the Dubai Urban Agenda 2040 in its future plans and is working on studying housing needs up to that date, taking into account the availability of land and the distances between residential areas, noting that traveling by car makes access to different areas of the emirate possible, even if some locations seem relatively far away.
He explained that the future direction is not limited to providing housing, but includes developing integrated complexes in coordination with the authorities concerned with education, health and municipal services, so that schools, health centres and other basic facilities that the family needs are available inside or near the complexes.
He pointed out that the leadership’s support for citizens’ housing projects is ongoing, and that there are lands allocated for residential complexes and housing projects within the plans extending to 2040, which supports the sustainability of providing housing options for citizens.
Al Shehhi stressed that the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, are based on officials providing citizens with the same level of quality that they wish for themselves and their families, explaining that this vision is reflected in the details of housing design in terms of internal and external spaces, providing the majlis, hall, corridors and walking areas, leading to the construction of complexes that provide an environment for living, and not just a house.
He recalled a humanitarian gesture during the allocation of housing in Al Khawaneej, when he met a family consisting of a mother and her children, and made sure to get to know them and accompany them when they entered their new home, noting that the family members were extremely happy, and that as soon as the door was opened, the children rushed inside the house, each looking for his room.
He said that this scene remained etched in his memory, and he was keen to share it with the team, because it encapsulates the true meaning of what the organisation does. A home is not merely a project to be completed and handed over; rather, it is the beginning of a new life for a family, and a source of their sense of security and stability.
Regarding human resource development, Al-Shehhi stated that the organisation prioritises preparing a second tier of leaders, recognising the importance of having qualified personnel capable of assuming responsibility and ensuring the efficient continuity of operations, even in the absence of current leaders. He explained that the organisation launched the Housing Pioneers initiative last year, aiming to train young leaders and provide them with the necessary practical experience.
He added that his approach to dealing with employees is based on giving them confidence and space to make decisions, and supporting them in the event of an unintentional mistake, because the goal is to learn and gain experience, not to avoid responsibility.
Source: Emirates 24|7