In collaboration with the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD), the Family Development Foundation (FDF), and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), have launched Additional Units for Special Cases Approval service, as part of the Barakatna initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The service allows the primary caregiver of one or both parents to apply for a permit to approve an additional housing unit, enabling their parents to live with them, with the aim of strengthening parent-child relations and reinforcing community cohesion, in line with DMT’s approved regulations and standards.
Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Director-General of FDF said: “Caring for senior citizens is a strategic priority for the foundation as we continue our efforts to enhance their quality of life and support their social and psychological stability in Abu Dhabi.
“This vision is inspired by the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Mother of the Nation, who emphasised the importance of providing programmes and services that enable this valued group to live in a safe environment that respects their experiences and engages them in the journey of development.”
Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Al Rumaithi noted that the service will contribute to enhancing the wellbeing and happiness of senior citizens by enabling their primary caregivers to obtain accredited housing units for their parents to live with them, strengthening family bonds and ensuring housing stability.
In addition, Her Excellency praised the efforts of DCD and DMT in facilitating access to housing unit accreditation permits for caregivers, stressing that applicants must meet certain criteria, including: being UAE Nationals aged 60 and above (as per the National Policy for Senior Emiratis); having family records issued in Abu Dhabi; residing in the emirate permanently; and being the main caregiver living with the senior parent as a first-degree relative.
His Excellency Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Director-General of Operations Affairs at DMT said: “This service comes as part of our ongoing efforts at DMT to enhance quality of life and support family stability by providing suitable housing environments that meet the needs of senior citizens and strengthen family cohesion. We have streamlined the technical and regulatory processes to ensure that accredited housing units meet the highest standards of safety and comfort for beneficiaries.
“Our collaboration with the DCD and FDF reflects our shared vision to empower community members in fulfilling their humanitarian and national responsibility of caring for their parents. This is achieved within a structured and integrated framework, guided by best practices in safety standards, allocation of appropriate spaces, accessibility and mobility support.”
