Affordable social housing projects ‘vital’

A KEY UN meeting has stressed the importance of decent housing in achieving social and economic development.

Participants at a panel discussion, held on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme Assembly (UNHA 2) in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday, called for devising comprehensive long-term policies to ensure the provisions of affordable social housing for the citizens.

Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi participated in the special session on achieving universal access to adequate housing through inclusive and stronger multilateralism.

Officials and specialists from the UK, France, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Kenya also took part.

The UNHA 2 continues until tomorrow.

The dialogue session focused on the importance of decent housing in achieving social and economic development.

Addressing the session, Ms Al Romaihi affirmed Bahrain’s early awareness of the potential challenges associated with the increase in demand for housing services as a result of the high rates of population, which required intensifying efforts to provide housing services to low-income citizens .

As a result, she said, the government had begun providing housing cities since the 1960s, starting with Isa Town, and then Hamad Town and Zayed City, in addition to the current five housing cities, namely Salman, Khalifa, East Hidd and East Sitra towns, as well as Al Ramli District.

She stressed that the kingdom has been keen to implement housing projects, alongside sufficient community services and facilities in order to provide decent housing for the citizens.

The minister also attended a work meeting with United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) executive director Maimunah Sharif.

She affirmed Bahrain’s keenness on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and taking part in the international efforts to achieve sustainability in various areas. She cited voluntary reports submitted which showed Bahrain’s progress.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1243823/Affordable-social-housing-projects-%E2%80%98vital%E2%80%99