A NATIONAL fund to help rebuild dilapidated homes in Bahrain could be launched with money taken from government coffers and investors.
Parliament wants the fund to be listed under the national budget for this year and the next, which is already five months late in submission to the National Assembly.
The proposal has been approved by the Capital Trustees Board, despite Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain informing MPs on Tuesday that there was no longer a budget for a scheme to restore people’s dilapidated homes.
The board also voted to form a national committee, comprising concerned government bodies, to prepare a master list of dilapidated and historically significant properties in the country.
The government previously allocated millions of dinars to an initiative to rebuild rundown properties, which was first launched in 2003 and was plagued by delays.
In 2011, it was turned into a loan-based scheme, but has now been terminated as the government looks to save money in the face of low oil revenues.
“It is not good that families who can’t afford to rebuild their dilapidated homes through loans have to continue living not knowing whether their roofs will collapse on their heads or not,” said Capital Trustees Board chairman Mohammed Al Khozaie.
“Out of commitment for the welfare of people it is essential to have grants given to those who fulfil the criteria.
“We have helped push ahead several dangerous homes under the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry’s remodelling scheme, but that’s not a long-term solution – rebuilding dangerous homes is.”
Around 4,000 homes were rebuilt under the original grant-based scheme called His Majesty King Hamad Scheme for Dilapidated Homes, but there are still another 4,000 homes classified as dangerous under lists prepared by the country’s four municipal bodies.
The board’s decision was also supported by Northern Municipal Council chairman Mohammed Buhamood, who said nearly half of the dilapidated homes in the country were in the Northern Governorate.
“We can help with extensive renovation but not rebuilding,” he said.
“If I was rich enough I would have paid from my own pocket to stop the tears of the people who come by the council complaining of their living situation; mostly elderly nationals.
Donors
“There are currently 4,000 homes on the dilapidated list nationwide and 1,700 are in the Northern Governorate – people have to be given safer homes.
“We have donors supporting the rebuilding of homes, thanks for their support, but there are so many others on the list.”
Meanwhile, the Capital Trustees Board also approved another proposal to scrap a BD100 fee taken by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry when rebuilding homes.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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