Manama: The Supreme Council for Women, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and the Ministry of Social Development, has launched the second edition of its awareness programme focused on Bahraini women's access to housing services. The event took place at the Mubarak Jassim Kanoo Social Center and involved participants from civil society organizations and eligible women seeking housing services.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the programme was inaugurated by Iman Hassan Al Abbasi, Director of Housing Finance at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Al Abbasi expressed gratitude to the Supreme Council for Women for initiating this effort, aimed at educating Bahraini women on available housing services, application processes, and requirements. She emphasized the programme's importance in fostering housing stability for women in Bahrain.
During the session, Mervat Saleh Al Doseri, Head of Community Affairs at the Ministry, provided an overview of the ministry's housing and financing services. She detailed the five housing categories and the support offered to women, including ownership programmes, housing loans, rent allowances, and special exemptions for widows with minor children.
Al Doseri also highlighted significant housing projects such as Masaken 1 and Masaken 2, targeting the fifth housing category, along with instant financing options like Tas'heel, available through the Housing Bank and other financial institutions. Additional initiatives like Tas'heel Aqar, Tas'heel Al Bayt Al Oud, and Tas'heel Ta'awun, alongside the traditional and updated versions of the Mazaya programme, were introduced to attendees.
Ahmed Thamer, Senior Officer from the Housing Bank's Sales and Institutional Relations Department, presented the digital platform "Bayti." This platform facilitates Bahraini citizens in searching for suitable housing, calculating loan amounts and monthly payments, and applying for housing finance. It also allows users to track application statuses, obtain property valuations, and receive tailored programme suggestions.
Thamer mentioned that Bayti consolidates listings from real estate companies, developers, and seven financing banks, reinforcing public-private sector partnerships. This initiative aligns with the government's objective of centralizing and simplifying access to housing-related services.