Minister of Municipalities: Protecting 200,000 cases through the Good Housing initiative
His Excellency the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, revealed record numbers achieved by the non-profit sector in the housing system, stressing the success of community initiatives in protecting more than 200,000 cases from losing their homes, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government and community through reliable digital platforms.
Rapid growth in the non-profit housing sector
During his participation in the government press conference, hosted by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari and attended by the President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Al-Haqil explained that the municipal and housing sector is undergoing a qualitative transformation. He noted the presence of more than 300 non-profit organizations actively working in this sector, reflecting the maturity of the volunteer experience in the Kingdom. He added that 1.4 million volunteers have registered over the past five years, contributing their efforts to supporting housing stability for the most vulnerable families.
The success story of "Jood Housing" and its societal impact
In reviewing the achievements of the "Jood Housing" platform, the Minister noted that the platform began as an ambitious idea to serve only 100 families, but has now transformed into a massive national project serving more than 50,000 families. He emphasized that the platform has attracted more than 4.5 million donors, embodying the values of social solidarity deeply rooted in Saudi society and reinforcing the concept of sustainable developmental housing.
His Excellency also touched on the “Goodness and Honoring the Dead” initiative, explaining that it came to prioritize the dignity of the deceased and facilitate the journey of their relatives, stressing that what began as limited initiatives has now become an integrated national system managed with high professionalism.
National context: Vision 2030 and empowering the third sector
These achievements come within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on the non-profit sector (the third sector), aiming to increase its contribution to the GDP to 5%. The transformation witnessed in the developmental housing sector is a prime example of the successful partnership between the public, private, and non-profit sectors, where the government's role has shifted from being the sole service provider to an enabler and regulator, thus opening the door to broader and more effective community participation.
Digital integration and the role of data in charitable work
This success would not have been possible without the advanced digital infrastructure provided by the Kingdom, a fact underscored by the presence of the head of the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) at the conference. Data and artificial intelligence have contributed to directing support with high precision to those who truly need it through platforms such as "Jood" and "Ihsan." This integration between the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing and technological entities ensures that donations reach their intended beneficiaries and protects vulnerable families from homelessness, thus strengthening social security and family stability in the Kingdom.
The conference concluded by emphasizing the continuation of government efforts to develop municipal and housing services, and to harness all technical and human capabilities to serve citizens and residents, in line with quality of life objectives.
