500 apply to Sharjah housing fund

The fund gives temporary accommodation to Emirati families who are living in dilapidated or unsuitable homes while their new home is being built.

SHARJAH // Five hundred Emiratis have applied to benefit from a Dh20 million emergency housing fund.

It was set up three months ago by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Ruler of Sharjah.

The fund gives temporary accommodation to Emirati families who are living in dilapidated or unsuitable homes, such as rented apartments, while their new home is being built.

Khalifa Al Tunaiji, director of the Sharjah Housing Department, said 500 applications had been received so far.

"Our team is studying the applications and those considered for the ruler's offer of temporary housing are immediately notified," he said.

The fund is an interim measure until several affordable housing developments are completed.

The Sharjah government is building 1,000 housing units a year but this falls short of demand, which is 5,000 new homes a year.