Manama: Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, announced that 2,584 housing finance applications, across the Tas'heel, Tas'heel+, Mazaya, and Mazaya (New Category) programmes, were approved in the first half of 2025.
According to Bahrain News Agency, since the programme's launch in 2022, a total of 10,163 applications have been accepted, with 82% of beneficiaries transferred from the traditional service waiting lists to immediate financing services. The Tas'heel Aqari option remains the most in-demand, accounting for over 5,000 applications, followed by Mazaya, the Mazaya (New Category), Tas'heel Al Bait Al Oud, and Tas'heel Ta'awon.
The Minister stated that the newly introduced Tas'heel+, launched in April alongside the Innovation Summit in the Social Housing Sector, has attracted strong interest due to its flexible features. These include financing ceilings of BHD 81,000 and 91,000 across two repayment plans, fixed monthly installments from the date of entitlement, and a range of financing purposes to suit housing needs.
She highlighted that the most popular financing purposes among beneficiaries include the purchase of housing units or apartments, land purchases, home construction, and purchasing and building on land, offering citizens greater flexibility in choosing housing types, locations, and sizes.
Minister Al Rumaihi commended the role of commercial banks and real estate companies in supporting the program through attractive offers and expedited procedures, improving accessibility for citizens. She acknowledged private sector efforts to expand the housing supply across all governorates at affordable prices.
The Minister pointed out the impact of government land development projects, such as Hai Al Naseem in Salman City and Al Wadi in Buhair, on increasing demand for financing services, with units selling out during the Innovation Summit and Exhibition. She also noted the role of private real estate developers in boosting programme uptake.
She added that application numbers are expected to rise significantly in the second half of 2025 due to ongoing daily demand. The Ministry, in collaboration with the private sector, remains committed to streamlining procedures, expanding affordable housing inventory, and offering exclusive promotions to accelerate citizens' access to housing.
Minister Al Rumaihi concluded by affirming that continued engagement with housing finance programs and land development projects will strongly support the Ministry's objectives under the Government Plan 2023-2026, particularly in delivering innovative solutions, enhancing private sector partnerships, and fulfilling initiatives outlined in the national budget for 2025-2026.