KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) held a lottery on Thursday for Kuwaiti women applying for rental housing in Sulaibiya and Taima’a. The draw is part of PAHW’s ongoing efforts to address long-standing housing requests from Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis.
Earlier this month, an initial draw allocated 170 residential units to women whose applications date back to 2001 or earlier, with some requests originating as far back as 1980. Sheikha Bibi Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Women’s Housing Committee, highlighted a persistent issue: many applicants have not updated their files, a requirement for lottery eligibility. On Thursday, she urged women with pending applications to visit PAHW and complete the necessary updates to secure eligibility for future draws.
Thursday’s lottery covered applications submitted up to 2005, with 194 units allocated to those who had updated their information according to PAHW requirements. PAHW has also introduced more flexible property transfer policies. For the first time, housing units can be transferred from a non-Kuwaiti military husband to his Kuwaiti wife if she has an active application, even before his military service concludes. Special humanitarian exceptions are made for elderly women with dependents and residents with disabilities to ensure no one is overlooked. The authority enforces strict guidelines to keep homes dedicated to family use. Commercial use or subleasing can result in legal action and reassignment to other eligible women.
Sheikha Bibi Al-Yousef Al-Sabah said residents of Sulaibiya and Taima’a will receive priority in the new “Low-Cost Housing” project, scheduled for completion in early 2028. “The new affordable housing project represents an important step in empowering Kuwaiti women with their right to housing,” she said. “It offers modern, fully equipped homes that enhance quality of life and family stability.”
Construction on the project began in early 2025 and is progressing ahead of schedule, according to Minister Abdellatif Al-Mishari. The development will include nearly 9,800 units on 200-square-meter plots, with each home totaling 350 square meters. The city will feature 74 public service buildings, including schools, clinics, mosques, police stations, and shopping centres, creating a self-sufficient residential community about 50 kilometers from Kuwait City.
Two main home designs with eight façade variations provide architectural variety while preserving family privacy. Each house will have six bedrooms, including two master suites, living and dining areas, and quarters for domestic staff. Sustainability measures include solar energy for public buildings, energy-efficient lighting, and high-performance central air conditioning.
Bader Al-Thaidi, Chief Engineer at PAHW, said work continues around the clock across multiple sites. Several contracts are running more than 20 percent ahead of schedule, with one nearing 26 percent completion. The project remains on track for full delivery by January 2028. — Agencies
