Ministry of Housing
Synonyms: Ministry of Housing، MOMRAH، Saudi Housing Ministry
Last updated: 2026-05-07
Short Definition
Saudi government entity responsible for regulating housing and real estate sector, overseeing Ejar, Sakani, and real estate development platforms.
Overview
Legal Basis
The competencies of the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing are based on Royal Decree No. (A/176) of 1443 AH merging the Ministries of Housing and Municipal and Rural Affairs. The ministry operates under the Municipalities Law, the Urban Planning Law, and the Sakani Program regulations approved by the Council of Ministers. It also oversees the implementation of housing targets in Vision 2030, and coordinates with the General Authority for Real Estate (REGA) in separating regulatory tasks between residential and commercial sectors.
Practical Example
Imagine Ahmed, a 32-year-old Saudi citizen with a monthly income of SAR 9,000, who wants to own his first home. He logs into the Sakani platform of the ministry, registers his data via Nafath unified access, and submits a housing support request. The platform assesses his eligibility according to the ministry criteria (income, number of dependents, no prior ownership), then issues an approval for financing support of SAR 150,000 in addition to qualifying him for a loan from the Real Estate Development Fund at a reduced profit margin. Within 60 days he selects an apartment in the Yasmin district of Riyadh worth SAR 850,000, and the ministry (through the Real Estate Development Fund) transfers the support directly to the developer.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Confusing the Ministry of Housing with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing — since 2022 the two ministries are merged into one entity.
- ✗Assuming the ministry rents or owns properties — its role is regulatory and supportive, not operational.
- ✗Believing ministry support is limited to new homes only — it also includes loans to purchase existing properties and self-build financing.
- ✗Ignoring the combination of housing support with a Social Development Bank loan — beneficiaries can obtain both within specific conditions.
- ✗Assuming the ministry regulates commercial real estate — commercial real estate and brokerage are under the jurisdiction of the General Authority for Real Estate REGA.
International Differences
Housing regulation structures vary by country. In the UAE, the Dubai Housing Council and the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme play the equivalent role in supporting citizens. In Turkey, TOKİ (Mass Housing Development Administration) builds and develops social housing for low-income families. In Egypt, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities oversees national projects like Dar Misr and social housing. In the UK, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities oversees housing policy. The Saudi advantage lies in the scale of direct cash support to citizens and full electronic integration via Sakani.