Emirati family of 12 waits for housing since 2003

An Emirati family of 12 is crammed in an old house that is leaking in winter and is gradually collapsing as it has been waiting for government housing since 2003. The father, the family’s sole supporter, says they live on his Dh4,000-pension which has been drained on persistent maintenance of the shaky house.

Abu Salim and his family, two of whom are now married, have lived in the house in Ras Al Khaimah for nearly 38 years and he has spent a fortune to keep the structure from falling after his application for a new house in 2003 was refused.

“I have lost large sums of money on maintenance of his house which no longer protects us against the scorching summer sun and the cold winter…it leaks during winter and the family is suffering from the house’s small area,” he told the Dubai-based Arabic language daily Emirat Alyoum.

“Despite regular maintenance, the house has become shaky and is gradually collapsing…parts of the ceiling in the sitting room and the bathroom often fall off and this is endangering our life….two of my sons are now married and need their own housing and I appeal all charity institutions to help.”

Emirat Alyoum quoted an official at the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme as saying Abu Salim’s application has been given initial approval.

“Abu Salim’s condition is among those who are considered to have bad housing…his application is among the applications that have just been given initial approval…it will be referred to a special committee for endorsement,” the Programme’s deputy director Mohammed Jassim said.