An estimated 800,000 people applied for the residential housing support program in the six days after registration opened last Friday. Some 500,000 applicants confirmed their registration on Iskan portal as of Wednesday.

While some applications were being processed, 160,000 applications from widows, orphans and special cases are under inspection.

Mohamed Zumai, spokesman for the Housing Ministry, said that those who do not own land can now be included in the program if they choose.

He said Iskan portal is the only avenue available to apply for housing support requests including land, loan and adequate housing.

The new program applies to pending applications in the Real Estate Development Fund. Those who applied before 23-7-143H have the option to continue in the Fund program or to move to the organized housing support program (Iska).

He stressed that applicants are eligible to take advantage of the available residential properties in case they meet the requirements as also taking into account first-come first-served basis. Those with existing Internet applications in the Real Estate Development Fund without the requirement of land ownership need to update their profiles to be included in the support program so as not to lose their order of priority.