Panel Proposed for Housing Application Cancellations

Waiting-list places could be protected for Bahrainis whose housing applications are cancelled, under a proposal recommended by Parliament’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee to create a specialist review panel.

The committee urged approval of the amended proposal, which asks the government to rework the rules for cancelling housing requests and add one more check before an application is struck off.

The change would apply to Article 69 of Ministerial Resolution No. 909 of 2015 on the housing system. It would create a committee to examine grievances against cancellation decisions and decide what happens next.

Where the panel finds that an applicant’s case should continue, the housing request would keep its original filing date. Where the applicant no longer meets the conditions, they would have to file a new request after fixing their status.

The explanatory note says the aim is to protect low-income Bahrainis’ right to decent housing. It cites Article 9(f) of the Constitution, which says the state works to provide housing for low-income citizens.

It also refers to Article 4, which says justice is the basis of rule and names equality, security, reassurance, social solidarity and equal opportunity among the foundations of society guaranteed by the state.

Those behind the proposal say housing requests now carry more weight as owning a home has become harder for many families. They argue that cancellations should be brought under closer control and kept to the least possible range.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning said Resolution No. 909 of 2015 already lays down the conditions for accepting housing service requests.

Under Article 5, applicants must meet the required conditions from the date they file their request until they receive a nomination certificate.

The ministry said this is linked to the availability of housing schemes, their readiness and the money allocated to them. If an applicant loses any required condition during the waiting period, the housing request can be cancelled.

It said Article 69 already deals with the cancellation process. The ministry can cancel a housing service request if an applicant loses any condition for receiving the service, except Bahraini nationality.

Those whose requests are cancelled can ask to be placed again in the register of eligible applications within two years of the cancellation date.