SHARJAH // Low-cost homes will be built for Emiratis living in Sharjah as part of a plan to provide more housing for citizens and improve their standard of living.
The one or two-bedroom homes, which will be built at a cost of Dh250,000 on land allocated by the government, are a cheaper alternative for families who cannot afford traditional-style large villas, said Abdul Aziz Al Mansouri, assistant director general for engineering at Sharjah Municipality
“The construction of such small housing units would cost less than Dh250,000 and it would take the municipality only three days to approve the design and project,” said Mr Al Mansouri.
“The municipality has issued 37 building permits for these small houses out of 79 applications received in the last few months. The move is to translate the vision of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, to provide a decent living for citizens.”
Mr Al Mansouri added that the municipality is encouraging home owners to carry out renovations to improve the aesthetic image of their properties and the emirate in general, with renovation permits for the necessary work given out free of charge.
As a result, 281 renovation permits have been issued in the past two months, compared with 531 throughout last year and 312 in 2012.
In the Rolla neighbourhood 20 owners have applied for the permits this year, with about 16 homes having already been renovated. Applications were also being received for homes in Al Hazemia and Al Shahba.
Mr Al Mansouri urged homeowners not to carry out any work on their properties without a permit, as people who make unlicensed modifications stand to be fined Dh5,000.
“Demolitions also have to be approved and licenced by the municipality so that they don’t result in inconvenience or health risks to residents.”
He said that the municipality demolished 176 buildings in 2011, 85 in 2012 and 104 in last year with compensation paid out to people affected.
“A decision to demolish a building is reached only after the municipality confirms the building is in a poor state and can not be renovated to meet the standards, that it is dangerous to the residents,” said Mr Al Mansouri.
“Then the municipality would stop renewing tenancy contracts in the building for about three months, then cut off electricity and water and then ask the building owner to demolish it.”
He added the municipality also sends a warning letter to owners who fail to demolish the building within a specified period. If they do not respond, the municipality will pull down the building and bill the owner for the demolition and other expenses.
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