Kuwaiti apartment owners to get alternative housing
A reliable source confirmed that during its session on March 26, the Cabinet reviewed the request of the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) regarding the expropriation of Sabah Al-Salem Residential Complex for public use. As part of this move, the authority proposed compensating the eligible owners with residential units located in PAHW-owned housing buildings in Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City. The PAHW will oversee the implementation of this project in coordination with the relevant government agencies.
Temporary residents of the complex, who meet eligibility criteria, will be allowed to rent alternative housing units at subsidized rates, as determined by the authority. The rent will vary based on the size and type of the housing unit and the associated service charges. The Cabinet has also instructed the PAHW to coordinate with the Legal Advice and Legislation Department, the Ministry of Finance, the Expropriation for Public Benefit Department, and other concerned entities to study the legal aspects of the expropriation request and present recommendations accordingly.
In a letter sent to the acting director general of PAHW, the Expropriation for Public Benefit Department outlined its vision for the execution of the project and the necessary legal procedures. It highlighted the major challenges and recommended steps in compliance with Law No. 33/1964 and Decree No. 131/1986.
One of the important recommendations is the issuance of a Cabinet resolution to formalize the expropriation process for Sabah Al-Salem apartments. This resolution must be requested by the Minister of State for Housing Affairs and must specify the implementation mechanisms for resettling the current residents. The initiative is part of a government effort to address the housing needs of vulnerable groups, particularly divorced and widowed Kuwaiti women living in the complex. The Women's Housing Affairs Team has recommended relocating residents to PAHW housing projects to ensure their safety and improve their living standards.
The proposed plan includes the following:
401 tenants will be relocated to alternative apartments in Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City
123 owners, who hold official ownership documents, can choose between cash compensation or allocation of alternative housing in Sabah Al-Ahmad or other PAHW-designated locations, provided the compensation amount is waived and all outstanding financial obligations are settled.
In the case of 16 owners currently in the process of obtaining ownership documents, they will be treated under the same terms as full owners if the documents are issued before the Cabinet decision is finalized; otherwise, they will be compensated accordingly.
To move forward, the Expropriation for Public Benefit Administration emphasized the need for a Cabinet decision to form the Valuation Committee and Objections Committee, which will be responsible for assessing property values and handling appeals from affected parties.
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