Page 44 - FDF PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (ENGLISH)

4/24/25, 11:29 AM Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi unveils key services under ‘Barakatna’ Initiative – UAE Business and Travel …
The Department of Municipalities and Transport is offering a service to Additional Units for Special Cases
Approval, allowing families to make structural modifications to their homes in order to create dedicated, private,
and comfortable living spaces for senior family members.

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of both the Department of Municipalities and Transport and the Abu Dhabi
Housing Authority, described “Barakatna” as:

“A practical solution for developing advanced residential infrastructure tailored to meet the needs of senior
citizens, while also enabling caregivers to fulfill their responsibilities in a comprehensive and supportive way.
Our approach focuses on building sustainable, family-centric communities that elevate the quality of life for all
residents.”

The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority is offering three additional services under the initiative:

-Obtain Home Improvements for Senior Citizens, to renovate and upgrade living facilities for senior citizens
according to safety and comfort standards.

-Obtaining Approval to Extend the Repayment Period of Housing Loans, extending the repayment period for
housing loans by an additional five years to reduce financial pressure on caregivers.

-Selling and Buying Housing Grants for Children’s Proximity to Parents, allowing families to relocate closer to
one another to foster family unity and create more supportive environments for seniors, in partnership with the
Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center.

Hamad Hareb Al-Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, expressed his pride in the
Authority’s contribution to the initiative: We value the continuous guidance of our leadership in ensuring
comprehensive care for senior citizens. Through ‘Barakatna,’ we are committed to offering flexible housing
solutions that reflect the realities of caregivers, support family stability, and promote greater social wellbeing.

The Department of Community Development affirms that “Barakatna” marks the beginning of a broader
framework of family-focused policies and programs aimed at empowering Emirati households and supporting
diverse social segments—ensuring continued social development and enhancing quality of life throughout the
Emirate.

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