Saudi Arabia has announced a major housing developement programme under which more than 19,000 residential units will be built in major areas of the kingdom for beneficiaries of its Sakani scheme.

The Housing Ministry, represented by the Sakani programme, has already signed five agreements with four real estate development companies for the setting up of these villas and townhouses, reported Arab News.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of the Housing Minister Majed bin Abdullah Al Hogail and other senior government officials including those from the ministry and Real Estate Development Fund besides the CEO of the National Housing Company.

Under this programme, a total of 19,359 housing units will be set up in Riyadh, Jeddah, Buraidah and Al Khobar for Sakani beneficiaries, stated the report.

Of the five projects, Murooj Jeddah will include 10,000 housing units, while Luluat Al Bahar in Jeddah will have 8,000, Tanal in Riyadh around 1,008, Areen in Al Khobar 273 and Basateen Al Qassim in Buraidah around 78 housing units.

The projects will include dedicated sites for mosques, parks and government agencies, it added.