The prince also directed the society’s deputy chairman Prince Muhammad bin Salman to supervise the activities of the executive committee.

Waleed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Ajlan, Badr bin Ali Al-Kaheel and Marwan bin Qassim Hawraniyah are new full-time members of the executive committee, according to the order, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

In another development Prince Salman sent a message of thanks to Khaled Al-Barahim, vice president of the board of trustees of the Ibrahim bin Abdul Aziz Charity Foundation for contributing SR500,000 to the society on Friday.

Special advisor to Prince Salman, Prince Muhammad, also thanked Al-Barahim for the philanthropic gesture.

The PSCHS was earlier known as Prince Salman Charity Housing Project. The project was converted to a society with the aim of expanding its fields of service in 2008.

The idea of the charity project originated in the aftermath of devastating torrential rains that hit Riyadh, especially the poor neighborhoods, in 1992.

A group of philanthropists discussed a way to help the victims with the late Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz who, in turn requested Prince Salman, who was then Riyadh governor, to take support them.

The prince set up a committee to study the issue and shortly ordered the launching of a housing project to help the homeless under the Riyadh Charity Society. The official launching of the project with Prince Salman as chairman took place in 1997.

The project constructed hundreds of housing units with communal facilities in each compound, including social community centers, mosques, health centers, children’s playgrounds and parks.

A part of all housing facilities have been designed specifically for people with disabilities, ensuring greater opportunities for community integration. The project also introduced long-term employment opportunities through training programs and affordable loans for business start-ups.

Its new housing developments are marked with innovative architectural design reflecting the local heritage with cultural and religious preferences.

The houses are carefully designed to ensure that there is sufficient privacy to suit Saudi customs.

The project also recognized the need to address environmental issues. Construction materials were sourced locally and water and energy savings were encouraged. Low energy appliances and re-use of wastewater for irrigation were also recommended in these units.