MPs to vote on raising housing income cap to BD 2,500

TDT | Manama

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Parliament will debate and vote on Tuesday on a proposal to raise the maximum salary ceiling for eligibility for state housing services to BD2,500, a move supporters say reflects rising living costs and changing income realities.

The recommendation, submitted by MPs Abdulwahid Qarata, Bader Al Tamimi, Hamad Al Doy, Ali Al Doseri and Mohammed Salman Al Ahmed, aims to widen access to housing support by allowing more middle-income families to qualify. MPs argue that the current income cap no longer reflects market conditions, particularly higher rents, property price s and household expenses.

The Services Committee has endorsed the proposal, with all attending members voting in favour, citing strong public-interest grounds and the need to ease pressure on families who are currently excluded despite facing housing affordability challenges.

In its written response, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning said existing regulations limit eligibility for housing services to applicants earning no more than BD1,200. It outlined that nomination certificates and most housing finance programmes are tied to strict income thresholds, both at the time of application and at allocation or payout.