MUSCAT : The royal gesture comes as part of a series of high directives that place citizens at the forefront of national priorities, underscoring the leadership’s keenness to ensure access to adequate housing as a cornerstone of social stability and sustainable development.

His Excellency Dr. Khalfan bin Saeed Al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, said the noble directive embodies the approach of continuous giving established by His Majesty and reflects the supreme concern for strengthening family stability as a fundamental pillar of social development. He added that royal directives since the launch of the Renewed Renaissance have provided a clear roadmap for achieving qualitative progress in the social housing programme.

According to the Minister, the programme has delivered tangible outcomes, enabling more than 8,000 families to achieve housing stability at a total value exceeding RO 200 million, alongside the development of legislative and service frameworks to ensure assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries and enhances overall quality of life.

Key achievements include the implementation of more than 465 housing units at a cost of RO 23 million, as well as 543 housing units developed in partnership with the private sector, reflecting effective public-private integration. In addition, RO 26.4 million was allocated to support families in mountainous areas and those affected by climatic conditions.

In 2025 alone, RO 50 million was allocated as a royal grant to provide housing for more than 1,700 families, with an additional RO 4 million allocated to Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates under royal directives.

The Ministry has also purchased 278 housing units within future city projects and residential neighbourhoods, valued at more than RO 11.8 million, to accelerate the provision of ready housing within fully serviced communities.

Between 2020 and 2025, housing assistance witnessed a steady increase. Support reached 1,260 families in 2020, 1,259 families in 2021, 1,477 families in 2022, 1,242 families in 2023, 1,112 families in 2024, and peaked in 2025 with 1,782 families benefiting from allocations totalling RO 50 million.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has also updated the legislative framework to enhance housing support efficiency. Under Ministerial Decision No. 9/2023, housing assistance ceilings were raised in line with family size and actual needs, setting support at RO 25,000 for families of two to three members and RO 30,000 for families of four or more members, subject to specified building area requirements.

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