Dubai: Coinciding with the Year of Family 2026, H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has directed the launch of a suite of initiatives aimed at bolstering social stability and family empowerment in Dubai. The initiatives are part of the second phase of the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is a comprehensive initiative that aims to support the growth, stability, and wellbeing of families in Dubai, strengthen community values, enhance quality of life, and promote work-life balance. It includes the allocation of homes in Wadi Al Amardi and Al Aweer projects, valued at AED1.6 billion, along with an AED83 million grant to furnish beneficiaries' homes. This approach ensures the efficiency and transparency of the allocation process.
H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum also directed the establishment of two community halls with a total value of AED63 million. These include an AED40 million wedding hall for Emiratis in Al Aweer 1 and the first-ever outdoor events hall for Emiratis in Mushrif National Park, valued at AED23 million. The events hall is designed for year-round use, adapting to seasonal changes.
The 830 homes allocated in Wadi Al Amardi and Al Aweer projects represent the largest batch of ready homes allocated to Emiratis since the launch of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment. This milestone highlights the leadership's directives to promote family stability and quality of life for Dubai citizens.
These initiatives reflect the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to create a development model centred on integrated projects that directly enhance social stability and empower Emirati families. This model balances high-quality housing, world-class infrastructure, and sustainable social welfare, underscoring Dubai's stature as a city with a superior quality of life.
H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum emphasized that the programme reinforces the enduring values of Emirati families, aligning with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision to prioritize the family as the cornerstone of a cohesive and sustainable society.
The Al Aweer project features 398 housing units allocated as grants, with a budget of over AED734 million. These units are designed to align with local architectural character and sustainability standards. They provide essential community amenities and services, including public parks and majlis halls.
The Wadi Al Amardi project comprises 432 housing units with an approved budget of over AED767 million. The units prioritize privacy and facilitate future expansion, supporting the needs of Emirati families.
The initiatives under the second phase of the programme also include the establishment of a new AED40 million wedding hall for Emiratis in Al Aweer 1. This hall, accommodating around 500 people, aims to support youth planning to marry and ease marriage-related costs.
Additionally, the first-ever outdoor events hall for Emiratis in Mushrif National Park, valued at AED23 million, offers families various options to host celebrations amidst nature. This initiative fosters collaboration between government entities and community institutions.
The Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to foster happy, connected, and value-driven families.
The second phase builds on the success of the first phase, which saw the formation of more than 1,100 Emirati families and the organization of 1,149 weddings. The Dubai Weddings programme recorded a 44% increase in weddings and a 43.5% rise in participation in 2025 compared to 2024.
The programme positively impacted quality of life, with beneficiary happiness reaching 97% and the number of newborns reaching 136. More than 2,100 people benefited from awareness and training programmes, including 'Start It Right,' 'Family Financial Literacy,' and 'How to Build Your Home?'
