The construction of more than 8,000 houses to be funded by the government has been give the go-ahead in 16 governorates across the Kingdom, as instructed by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, an official said. The units will be distributed to families who will be selected based on specific criteria, said Shuaish Al-Duwaihi, director of the General Housing Commission. Al-Duwaihi was speaking after signing a construction contract with national companies for 1,813 housing units in five governorates across the Kingdom in Riyadh Tuesday. The housing commission will be signing soon another construction contract for 1,646 housing units in three major cities, he said. Construction companies have already submitted their bids for 1,557 housing units, including 342 in Rafha, 615 in Arar, 261 in Sabia, and 249 in Baish. The projects will be awarded to winning companies soon. Companies will be invited to bid for building another 3,172 housing units, including 272 in Al-Khobar, 593 in Qunfudah, 1,062 in Najran, and 1,200 in Hail. The government has taken on its shoulder providing suitable housing with modern designs for its citizens, Al-Duwaihi said. Construction has already started for 149 housing units in Abu Hajr area in Jizan, 900 in Hafr Al-Batin, 273 in Qurayyat, 342 in Turaif and 149 in Khaibar. Future contracts will include construction of 901 residential units in Tabuk, 381 in Buraidah and 364 in Sukaka.
