Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme – Everything You Need to Know

There’s no place like home. Those with a safe roof on their heads would agree with this but what about the ones struggling to find suitable housing? For people living in the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme is the answer!

Established in 1999, the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme (SZHP) offers suitable housing to UAE nationals and their families. The objective of the programme is to provide housing assistance to people with regard to loans and grants. It also aims to help people with the construction, buying, maintaining and expanding of a house as per authorised standards and policies. 

If you’re keen to learn more about it and understand the application process, this article will cater to your queries. We’ve answered the most important questions associated with the programme. 

The Objective of SZHP

The objective of this housing programme is to attain residential welfare for the country. It aims to satisfy the citizens of the nation by providing them with the most innovative and sustainable residential services. 

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme

Only UAE nationals are eligible to apply for the Sheikh Zayed housing programme. Meeting the following eligibility criteria is essential for anyone who wishes to apply to this programme:

• You should be a UAE national
• You are the sole breadwinner of the family and are unable to find/get a suitable house for your family
• As a UAE national, you have never attained housing aid from the government
• Do not own a house that suits appropriate residency or haven’t owned a house since 1999. 
• Not enough income to purchase a house or complete its building or construction
• You are a local female citizen/UAE national:
  • Who is a widow with children
  • Divorced with children, dependent on the father of the children who cannot afford a house
  • Age 30 or more, unmarried and don’t have parents
  • Don’t have parents, a guardian or breadwinner who can subsist her
  • Married to a non-UAE national or citizen who cannot get a suitable resident for his family.

Type of Assistance to Expect from the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme

The project of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme offers three types of assistance which are:

The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme offers the following types of assistance –

1. Housing Assistance – It includes government housing, a non-refundable financial grant
2. Financial Loan – Housing loan for a house in ministry-built complexes or a loan to improve your existing housing or residential experience.
3. Utility Housing  – Loan that covers rent for housing and utilities such as electricity, natural gas, water, wood, sewage service and more.

Benefits of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme 

Applying for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme can provide you with the following advantages:

• Assistance with home construction which was pending or under construction for a long time
• Purchase a Dubai real estate property or home that fits your needs and family size
• Expand or maintain an existing house or both. 
• Pay for previously taken loans for housing purposes from other entities. But before that, make sure that 3 or more years haven’t passed since the first instalment of the taken loan.

Value of Financial Loans and Grant by SZHP

NOTE: The income of the person applying for the programme should be 15,000 AED or less.

Essential Documents for Applying to the SZHP

• Copies of the family book, ID proof and passport
• A Dubai real estate property certificate from the authorities presently in charge.
• Commercial licenses certificate from the authorities that are in-charge presently.
• Income proof in the form of salary slips or bank statement

For Widows

Along with the above-mentioned document, widows in the UAE need to submit these documents:

• Inheritance inventory proof
• Non-marriage certificate, the pension certificate (that the widow is receiving on behalf of the late husband), proof of financial assistance from the concerned entity.

For Divorced Females

Aside from the first set of documents mentioned above, divorced women have to submit these documents:

• A court certificate or proof of children custody
• A non-marriage certificate from the court or proof of receiving financial assistance after divorce from the concerned entity.

Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme – How to Apply?

You can apply for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme either offline or online. 

• Offline Method – By visiting one of the Emirates Post offices
• Offline Method – By visiting the official SZHP website 

The applicant receives a temporary card via email before a permanent card is issued. The temporary card includes the applicant’s ID information and application number for a smooth follow-up process that takes place later.

Online Registration Process of SZHP

You can register to the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme via their official website using these steps:

• Go to the official SZHP website – www.szhp.gov.ae/default.aspx
• Click on the ‘Login’ icon on the top right corner of the page. 
• If you already have an account, just enter the username and password. If not, click on ‘Create an Account’.
• That will open a new page with options such as – Applicants, Contractors and Consultants. 
• Click on the ‘Applicants’ option and fill in your Town Number and Family Number.
• You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile phone number.
• Enter the OTP to complete the SZHP registration process.

Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme – Website Services

On the SZHP website, you can access the following services: 

• Housing Assistance Request 
• Update Housing Assistance Data
• Request for Cancellation of Residential Assistance
• Postpone or Reduce Instalment 
• Request for Housing Decision Reconsideration

FAQs