Around 6,000 new government homes in Bahrain are expected to be ready within the next six months, the countrys Housing Ministry has announced
The homes would be handed over to people who have been on a waiting list for 19 years, an official source said, adding that 45 per cent of 54,000 requests for government homes date back to 1993.
Khalid Al Amer, assistant under-secretary for housing policies and services at the Housing Ministry, said, "The ministry is following a strategic plan to cover old requests by this year in all governorates."
"It will firstly cover requests dating back to 1993, 1994 and 1995 then the three following years will be answered by next year," Al Amer added.
The largest project being handled by the ministry is the Northern Town, consisting of 15,616 units, including houses, apartments and lands. It consisted of 14 islands, 11 of which are being reclaimed to pave the way for the project.
Sami Mandeel, construction projects and maintenance director, said, "Construction work on homes in the first island was scheduled to be completed by September this year. The total cost is around US$20.94mn.
"It features 530 housing units which are designed by the ministry and two consultancy companies."
Mandeel added, "17 units will be designated for those with special needs, built with extra width and having only one floor to allow mobility of the physically impaired, part of the total 35 units allocated to those with special needs in the project."
The total project is expected to be completed between 2016 and 2019 and would consist of 13 public beaches.
The Malkiya housing project, which has cost US$22.4mn and consists of 406 houses, will be handed over to residents in May.
Additionally, 339 houses were also set to be ready by November this year as part of the Hunaniya housing project while Dar Kulaib housing project, covering 156 houses, have already been distributed to residents.
