Emaar residential project aims to create Dh2m a year in rent for Dubai charity

DUBAI // Al Noor Special Needs Centre is set to be given Dh2 million a year in rent collected from the eight-storey Beit Al Noor Endowment residential building.

The Emaar Foundation worked with Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (Amaf) to build the Dh25 million, 42-apartment building in Al Warqa. The annual rental income will go towards funding the centre and its training programmes for people with special needs.

The building will feature a rooftop landscaped deck, adult and children’s swimming pools, health club, two levels of basement parking and several retail stores and food and beverage outlets on the ground level.

“Beit Al Noor Endowment sets a new model in supporting the community through a long-term and sustainable initiative led by public private partnerships,” said Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.

“It will benefit the Al Noor Centre in supporting and achieving its mission to provide valuable training for individuals with special needs.”

Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais, secretary general of Amaf, said the project would set a benchmark for how the business sector could work with philanthropic organisations to make a difference in the community.

“As a non-profit organisation which heavily subsidises school fees, our biggest challenge is to raise sufficient funds every year to cover our operating costs and to invest in innovative training facilities to help our students undertake productive careers and live life with dignity,” said Khalid Al Halyan, chairman of the board at Al Noor Centre.