JEDDAH, 29 May 2008 — Dr. Yousuf ibn Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the King Abdullah Charitable Housing Foundation, has been appointed minister of social affairs in place of Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas, a Royal Court announcement said yesterday.
“Al-Akkas has been relieved of his position upon his request and Al-Othaimeen has been appointed new minister of social affairs,” said a royal decree issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Al-Othaimeen has, with the support of King Abdullah, played a significant role in building a large number of low-cost housing projects in various parts of the Kingdom.
He said the foundation was established five years ago to provide decent housing for the country’s poor.
He has conducted a field study on the living conditions of the poor in various parts of the country with the support of a team of experts. He said the foundation wanted to construct 13,000 housing units for the benefit of 50,000 people.
The new minister was instrumental in the launching of a chair of the foundation at King Saud University in Riyadh to conduct research on housing issues.
