Hundreds set to move into new homes in Fujairah

Five hundred Emiratis were given a first glimpse of their villas in Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed City, a Dh1.9 billion housing community in Fujairah that opened this month.

Families discovered their villa number this week and can expect to receive the keys in the coming weeks.

The 2.2-square-kilometre complex in Al Hail near Fujairah City was built on the orders of President Sheikh Khalifa to improve the quality of life for citizens.

Ali Al Dhanhani received a text message last week that said he could find out his villa number.

“I was at work when I received the message. I couldn’t believe my eyes and I’m surprised,” said Mr Al Dhanhani, who waited about 10 years for the news. “I didn’t tell anyone, not even my wife, until I made sure it was 100 per cent true.”

Mr Al Dhanhani currently pays Dh55,000 a year in rent for a three-bedroom apartment, where he lives with his wife and four children.

He said he was looking forward to having more space.

He visited the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development on Wednesday to complete the paperwork on his new home.

He picked a villa number at random from a glass bowl.

“I was granted a fivebedroom villa,” said Mr Al Dhanhani, 31, who works for the military.

“I’m planning to surprise my family by taking them to see the villa.

“Our Rulers and leaders always think about us and our needs and we are very grateful for that.”

Several government committees, including the Crown Prince Court in Abu Dhabi, assigned the villas to eligible Emirati families.

Sulaiman Al Dhanhani, 41, who also works for the military but is not related to Ali Al Dhanhani, was also invited to pick his villa number.

He currently lives with his three children in a threebedroom apartment and pays Dh52,000 rent.

He applied for a housing grant in 2015 and was given a five-bedroom villa.

“I have waited for so long for this moment and I still can’t believe it,” he said.

“I can’t wait to take my family to see the city and our new house – they will love it.”

Umm Abdullah, 43, a divorced Emirati mother of seven, said she applied for a grant in 2012 and was given a home in the complex.

“I’ve been granted a fourbedroom villa. I am thankful to our government’s efforts,” she said.

Those given villas can ask to swap homes under committee rules and brothers were given the option to pick adjoining properties.

The community, which has 20 public parks, opened on February 11 and will be home to 7,000 Emiratis.

Schools, mosques, shops, a cultural centre and majlis will also become part of the complex.