Very few countries in the world could serve so many citizens with their social housing programmes such as Bahrain. Since the MOH’s inception in the 1970s, the Government has provided close to 130,000 housing service... In recent years, social programmes have counted on increased budget and reached a scope hitherto non-existent. Housing support provided by the Government has ensured very high standard accommodation compared to international standards. Providing access to housing has therefore contributed to high standards of living amongst the Bahraini population

SDG 11 is directly linked to almost all other SDGs and a large number of the indicators can be measured at the urban level, making the city the core area were achieving sustainability can be won or lost.
In line with the SDG’s, Bahrain’s government action plan reflects the Government of Bahrain’s strategic priorities over the next four years and focuses on delivering sustainable change. Built upon the principles of sustainability, transparency, justice and competitiveness, the Government Action Plan seeks to capitalize on the Kingdom’s resources and capabilities to meet the needs of all Bahrainis. Bahrain has followed the path of putting housing at the core of development since its early days and is continuing with this with renewed vigour.

The beneficiaries of housing programmes are the Bahraini citizens. Estimations indicate that 65% of citizens have benefitted from these programme which include provision of housing units, purchase and construction loans, rental subsidy.

The delivery of housing services created jobs. In particular construction and construction-related industries , financial sector, real estate sector,home-appliances sector benefit from a strong stimulus of investments in social and affordable housing sector. Estimations indicate that for each BD invested in Social and Affordable housing sector the economy has benefitted at least 1.72 times Multiplier Effect making investment in the housing sector a valuable economic growth factor.

For the implementation of a long term programme it is in particular important to have a clear vision anchored in a country’s institutional setting to ensure that over the years, although priorities might change, the ultimate vision remains. This is clearly the case in Bahrain and can be evidenced through the below mentioned.

The Government of Bahrain recognizes the importance of adequate housing for sustainable development and acknowledges housing as an essential component of its socioeconomic stability.

The fundamental role of the government in ensuring housing provision is clearly understood in Bahrain, and promotion of social welfare and national prosperity is a consistent core principle of national policy.

This practice is established in the key framework governing Bahrain, starting by the Constitutional Article (9) “The State shall endeavour to provide housing to citizens with limited income”.

The Economic Vision 2030 acknowledges the catalysing role of housing in the economy of Bahrain, due to its large share in the construction sector, generating employment and offering business opportunities for national and international developers.

More recently, the Government Action Plan 2019 – 2022 reinforced the commitment to addressing the housing demand in Bahrain, strengthening the role of the private sector and creating the necessary conditions for the implementation of an additional 25,000 units.

The ‘Housing Policy and Strategy 2022’ developed in 2002 in cooperation with UNHabitat and the UNDP has provided guiding principles for an updated approach towards access to housing for Bahrain’s citizens. Likewise the newly developed evidence-based national housing policy will be a key tool for Bahrain to continue delivering on its commitment to provide access to adequate housing in a more sustainable way and ensuring that all aspects of public policy are appropriate to carry Bahrain into a sustainable urban future. Bahrain's experience of changing from provider of housing units towards facilitator/regulator of housing services in addition to the successful partnering with the private sector (developers/financiers) are important paradigm shifts.

The vision and mission of the Ministry of Housing itself also embrace these principles as it “supports the creation of a Bahrain in which every citizen of the Kingdom, and in particular those with limited income, has access to adequate and decent housing and the opportunity to live as part of a safe and integrated community” and “ enhances the quality of life of all Bahraini citizens by delivering superior housing services through an innovative and sustainable housing system that strengthens both Bahrain’s society and its economy”.

The achievements of Bahrain in relation to urban development and housing programmes have been internationally recognized. Bahrain won international recognition, granting to Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa of the Special Citation to Scroll of Honour for outstanding achievement in field of urban development in 2006 by UNHabitat.

1963 Establishment of Isa Town.
Government’s first steps in providing social housing services was in implementation of “Isa Town” .A real model in how to implement integrated strategic projects, In terms of construction, infrastructure. The project included construction of approximately 5,650 units with services and public facilities.

1984 Establishment of Hamad Town.
The Ministry launched the second largest strategic. The aim was to keep pace with the population growth. The Ministry of Housing constructed 2,160 units in the new Town and provided 629 housing Plots.

2001 Inauguration of Zayed Town
In continuation of the Government’s approach to developing housing projects, Zayed Town Project was inaugurated in 2001 with the cooperation of the Government of United Arab Emirates. This Town represented a model of a unique and distinctive community, providing about 484 housing units.

2002 Establishment of Medinat Salman
On the breath taking northern coastline of Bahrain with an area of 740 hectares, it is up to today the largest and most advanced integrated social and affordable housing project ever undertaken by the Ministry. Upon completion the Town will create safe and integrated community for almost 100,000 citizens.

2013 Medinat Khalifa.
Located in South East of Bahrain on an area of 734 hectares, Medinat Khalifa encompasses the Prince Charles Foundation project and Askar, Jaw and Al Dur villages all in a sustainably designed master plan Town. The town will include commercial, social facilities and around 8,000 housing units, cater to an estimated population of 48,000 citizens.

2013 Establishment of East Hidd New Town.
Located on Muharraq island, on area of 232 hectares, it will include almost 3500 housing units with comprehensive facilities and services, over 1,200 apartments , The Town is scheduled to accommodate about 28,000 people upon the completion.

2015 Laying the Foundation Stone of East Sitra
On June 15, 2015, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, laid the Foundation Stone for East Sitra project, that cover an area of 25,304 hectares. The project will contribute to the creation of a balanced urban environment that offers a variety of choices of accommodation and services.

2016 Establishment of Deerat Al Oyoun
Located in South side of Diyar Al Muharraq with total land area of 1,175 million square meter, it includes 3,021 residential units to be enrolled in Mazaya Programme.

2016 MASAKEN Project
Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King patronized the inauguration of the first model of the Masaken project. This facility provides temporary housing to vulnerable women, mainly divorced, widow or women left by their family.

2017 Establishment of Al Ramli Town.
Al Ramli is integrated residential project. The project consists of 4,501 housing units, community facilities, green spaces, open areas, mosques and schools.

N/A

N/A

As concluded in the National Housing Policy 2018 jointly developed by the Ministry of Housing of the Kingdom of Bahrain in cooperation with UNDP and UN-Habitat, very few countries in the world could serve so many citizens with their social housing programmes such as Bahrain. Since the MOH’s inception in the 1970s, the Government has provided close to 130,000 housing services. In recent years, social programmes have counted on increased budget and reached a scope hitherto non-existent. Housing support provided by the Government has ensured very high standard accommodation compared to international standards. Providing access to housing has therefore contributed to high standards of living amongst the Bahraini population.

This has been achieved by putting housing and neighbourhood development at the core of the national development agenda for the last 50 years with government policies adapting to a changing world, capitalizing on what has been achieved, dealing with new challenges while maintaining the focus on provision of access to housing and the creation of inclusive and safe neighbourhoods for all its citizens.
In addition, Bahrain's experience of changing from provider of housing units towards facilitator/regulator of housing services in addition to the successful partnering with the private sector both developers and financiers, are important paradigm shifts to be considered in the continuing success.
Furthermore, investment in social and affordable housing programmes are not just a cost factor be function as a ‘development multiplier’ benefiting complementary industries, contributing to economic development, employment generation, service provision and overall poverty reduction.
Lastly, inclusive 'housing at the core' cannot be a short term objective but has to be a long term commitment.

Publications :

http://housing.gov.bh/en/SustainableDevelopment/Pages/default.aspx

http://housing.gov.bh/en/PublicationsLibrary/MoH%20AR15%20Arabic%20Final.pdf

http://housing.gov.bh/en/SustainableDevelopment/Documents/MOH_Achmnt_English.pdf

Videos :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7QcMlesf7k


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjhW3SevMFo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiwbCqv_zEg