Saudi Arabia’s developers need to build nearly 257,000 residential units over the next five years in bid to tackle the growing housing problem in the country, said a report.

With 80 per cent of the Saudi families unable to buy their own houses, there is an urgent need for new housing facilities across the kingdom, reported Arab News, citing the kingdom's Shoura Council.  

In a major move, the council approved a national plan to help widows, orphans and people with special needs find housing facilities in the kingdom.

The decision is a sequel to a report submitted by its housing committee which has advocated for active participation of the private sector.

It comes following demand from various social service organisations in the kingdom to the government to provide accommodation for those who cannot afford it.

The council members also urged the Housing Ministry to evaluate the demand for accommodation once in ever five years instead of a decade as is the current practice, stated the report.

Last week, the Housing Ministry said it was working to provide more residential homes for Riyadh residents. It also said that the houses will be in accordance with the different sections of society in Riyadh, which has the largest number of population, the report added.