Abu Dhabi and Dubai have approved major housing benefits totalling AED9.52 billion for their citizens, ahead of Eid-Al-Fitr. 

Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved a housing benefits package worth AED4.21 billion, benefiting 2,652 Emirati citizens across the emirate, said a WAM news agency report.

The approved package includes housing loans amounting to AED2.1 billion benefiting 1,415 citizens; ready-built housing grants valued at AED1.82 billion benefiting 914 citizens; residential land grants worth AED144 million benefiting 185 citizens; and exemptions from housing loan repayments totalling AED142 million benefiting 138 senior citizens, limited-income retirees and heirs of deceased citizens.

The disbursement of the first housing package of 2026 comes ahead of Eid Al Fitr and reflects the leadership’s ongoing commitment to enhancing Emirati families’ wellbeing and ensuring their social stability and happiness in an environment that meets their aspirations and needs.

This package brings the total housing benefits delivered to citizens in Abu Dhabi since the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority to more than 132,000, exceeding AED181 billion.

Plots distribution in Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the allocation of 4,631 residential land plots, valued at AED5.3 billion, for Emirati citizens in Dubai.

Spanning over 71 million sq ft across Al Eyas, Latifa City, and Mushrif areas, these plots are part of citizen housing packages in Dubai. They follow a development model that reflects Dubai’s approach to creating integrated residential communities, ensuring a sustainable living experience and a high quality of life.

The residential plot allocation will be conducted through the Emirati platform on the DubaiNow app within the coming week, said another WAM report.

HH Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that providing every Emirati family with suitable housing is a key priority of Dubai’s development strategy, and a key objective of urban development projects designed to build integrated, vibrant communities that place citizens at the heart of their priorities, ensuring families lead fulfilling lives that support both their wellbeing and social and family stability.

His Highness added: “Our goal is for Dubai to become the world’s best city for family life by offering a leading urban ecosystem that combines an integrated social environment and advanced housing supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and services. By meeting citizens’ needs and anticipating their future aspirations, Dubai will remain the city that embraces people’s dreams and offers every family a more stable living environment, creating a cohesive community where everyone thrives.”

The new package of residential plots is part of a comprehensive development vision designed to create pioneering, modern residential communities. These communities will implement future urban planning standards that link green and open spaces to ensure a safe and healthy life and encourage social interaction.

With easy access to integrated service centres offering top-tier services, and a comprehensive, sustainable infrastructure that meets the demographic and urban structure of every area, the planned communities align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to achieve sustainable people-centric urban development in Dubai that enhances quality of life and solidifies the emirate’s global competitiveness.

The announced allocation includes 2,540 residential plots in the Al Eyas area, spanning 39 million sq ft. Designed according to the highest urban planning standards, the community will feature advanced infrastructure and premier amenities, including mosques, a community neighbourhood Majlis, retail centres, a school, and an early childhood centre.

To further raise citizens’ quality of life and wellbeing, the area will feature parks and recreational facilities, alongside a dedicated green path with cycling tracks that seamlessly connect all neighbourhoods.

Additionally, 1,761 residential plots are allocated in Latifa City, spanning 28 million sq ft. The community will feature mosques, parks and a green path, alongside retail centres, a school, an early childhood centre, a community neighbourhood Majlis and a Quran memorisation centre.

A total of 330 residential plots were allocated in the Mushrif area, spanning 4 million sq ft. This community will feature two mosques, a family park, a retail centre and multiple infrastructure amenities.