The Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities has confirmed that extending the application period for alternative residential and non-residential units for citizens covered by the Old Rent Law is intended to provide eligible applicants with additional time to complete the registration process, while continuing to review submitted applications and verify supporting documents in accordance with the approved regulations.
Engineer Amr Khattab, assistant minister of housing and the ministry’s official spokesperson, explained that the Cabinet’s decision to extend the application period by an additional three months, until October 12, was made to accommodate citizens who were unable to complete their applications during the previous deadline and to ensure that no eligible applicant is deprived of the opportunity to register.
He stressed that the extension will not affect the rights of citizens who have already submitted their applications, emphasizing that the ministry will continue reviewing and verifying all files while simultaneously receiving new applications throughout the extended period.
102,000 Applications for Alternative Units
The Ministry of Housing spokesperson stated that the latest official count showed that approximately 102,000 applications have been received from citizens covered by the Old Rent Law seeking alternative units.
The submitted applications include around 99,800 requests for residential units and 1,790 requests for non-residential units, while new applications will continue to be accepted until the extended deadline expires.
He added that specialized teams are currently reviewing the submitted data and supporting documents to verify compliance with the eligibility requirements and ensure that each applicant qualifies before moving to the subsequent allocation stages.
No Priority for Early Applicants
Amr Khattab denied reports suggesting that new amendments or procedures would give priority to one category of applicants over another, stressing that all citizens are subject to the same standards and regulations.
He added that both those who have already applied and those who submit applications during the extension period will have their requests processed according to the same approved rules, without granting exceptional advantages or priority outside the legal framework governing the process.
He emphasized that the purpose of extending the application period is not to alter the order of eligible applicants or modify the selection criteria, but rather to allow the largest possible number of citizens to complete registration and submit the required documents.
Reviewing Applications and Preparing Units
The assistant minister of housing explained that the ministry is currently working on two parallel tracks. The first focuses on reviewing applications, data, and supporting documents, while the second is dedicated to preparing the necessary residential and non-residential units for applicants who are confirmed to be eligible.
He noted that the state aims to provide suitable and secure units for everyone who meets the eligibility criteria, in line with the political leadership’s directives to address the concerns of tenants covered by the Old Rent Law and protect eligible beneficiaries during the implementation of the law.
The relevant authorities are also assessing the actual demand for housing units based on the number of approved applications and their geographical distribution to facilitate an organized allocation process once the review and verification stages are completed.
Warning Against Rumors
The Ministry of Housing spokesperson urged citizens not to pay attention to rumors or inaccurate information circulating about application requirements or the mechanisms for allocating alternative units.
He affirmed that all procedures are being carried out transparently and that the current review stage is intended to verify the accuracy of submitted information, the validity of supporting documents, and each applicant’s compliance with the eligibility criteria before issuing allocation decisions.
He also stressed the importance of relying only on official statements issued by the Ministry of Housing, the Cabinet, and the relevant authorities and warned against misleading social media posts that falsely claim priority for certain applicants or special advantages for specific groups.
Housing Ministry: Every Eligible Citizen Will Receive Their Right
Amr Khattab affirmed that the state has delivered hundreds of thousands of housing units through various projects over the past years, demonstrating its ability to fulfill its commitments across different housing programs.
He added that the alternative housing program for Old Rent tenants is proceeding according to a structured plan that includes advance planning, accurately identifying the number of applicants, verifying their eligibility, and preparing the required housing units before beginning the allocation process.
He concluded by emphasizing that every citizen who submits an application, proves eligibility, and provides complete and valid documentation will receive their full entitlement in accordance with the approved regulations.
He further explained that extending the application deadline until October 12 is intended to accommodate all citizens wishing to register and ensure that no eligible applicant is denied the opportunity to apply for an alternative unit.