Apartments in Dubai with studios and three bedrooms will be available for reasonable rentals as part of a housing initiative unveiled this week. A top official told Khaleej Times that these units will serve people of all income levels. 

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed approved the 1.46 million square meters of land allotted for the project. Four locations—Al Qusais Industrial 5, Al Leyan 1, Al Twar 1, and Al Mueisim 1—will be developed in the first phase.   

According to Nasser Abu Shehab, head of the Dubai Urban Planning Coordination Committee, “The project in its initial phase will provide more than 17,000 residential units with affordable rent prices for skilled professionals of various nationalities working in vital and strategic sectors across both the public and private sectors in Dubai,” Khaleej Times reported. 

The first phase targets skilled professionals across the following:

• Dubai government departments
• Healthcare sector (nursing, medical support services, etc.)
• Education sector (teachers, administrators, etc.)
• Transportation sector
• Tourism and hospitality sector
• Telecommunications and technology sector
• Entertainment, culture, and creative arts sector

The official did not disclose the average rentals at which these flats will be available. “The next phase will identify project details and prices,” he stated.

The six complexes will include open areas and integrated community facilities in addition to “high-quality residential spaces.”

Closer to workplaces

The initiative is a component of a larger Affordable Housing Policy that seeks to alleviate housing needs and promote thriving, healthy communities. The strategy serves several social segments by providing various housing options appropriate for people of all income levels.

Furthermore, it will make it easier to build new worker accommodations near their places of employment, improving the standard of these facilities and guaranteeing that everyone in society receives sufficient services. According to Abu Shehab, the policy also aims to enhance urban growth and social cohesion.

Several departments, including the Dubai Land Department, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, General Directorate for Identity and Foreigners Affairs—Dubai, Dubai Civil Defense, and Dubai Real Estate Corporation, will carry out the project under the supervision of the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning.

Dubai rentals have stabilized after hitting all-time highs. Although rent increases are currently at a reasonable rate of about 10%, further hikes are still anticipated throughout the emirate.

According to Khaleej Times, real estate experts have observed that many locals are choosing to purchase homes due to rising rental prices. According to Allsopp & Allsopp, citing data from the Dubai Land Department, Dubai saw a 30% decrease in monthly rental renewals.

The Betterhomes real estate platform has witnessed “continued growth in buyer interest, particularly from residents moving from renting to owning, driven by historically high rents,” according to Christopher Cina, director of sales. 

“This change also indicates a longer-term dedication to living in Dubai.”

Enhancing Arabic Language and Islamic Studies outcomes 

The new education plans adopted at today’s meeting help Dubai achieve its objective of being one of the top 10 cities in the world for educational excellence. They aim to improve academic performance in Arabic language and Islamic studies by emphasizing effective teaching strategies from early infancy to pre-primary levels.

Additionally, the policy encourages parents and teachers to work together more closely, acknowledging the importance of both households and schools in enhancing pupils’ sense of cultural and national identity.

The policy includes cooperation with colleges and universities and features programs like the Emirati Teacher Recruitment and Training Program and the Dubai Protocol for Curriculum Enhancement. It supports curriculum development through a school-parent cooperation initiative.

The program focuses on cutting-edge educational resources to help instructors grow professionally while fostering students’ critical thinking and research abilities.

Increasing the number of Emirati instructors in Arabic and Islamic studies is another goal of the policy. The execution of the policy will be supervised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in collaboration with private schools across Dubai.

Independent Legal Consultant Project

Citizens will be allowed to independently offer legal advice in some legal disciplines under the new scheme, with the exception of litigation. 

The pilot phase covers real estate and personal status law, opening doors for Emiratis, including retirees, academics, and those looking for remote job options.

Candidates must pass an exam, finish a training program in the relevant profession, and have at least two years of legal experience. The Government of Dubai’s Legal Affairs Department will conduct and evaluate the one-year pilot.