So far so good but more needs to be done

The announcement by the Dubai Property Group that 50,000 low-cost houses are going to be brought on to the market in coming years, will doubtless be welcomed by everyone. Yet what hasn't been determined is exactly what constitutes a low-cost house because what is low-cost to one family may be exorbitant to another. Nor is it known where the low-cost units will be built, although the developers admit to having already built a sizeable housing project for rent in Al Quoz, although in view of recent events there, the area may be less attractive than first envisaged. Low-cost housing becomes less attractive if it entails long hours commuting from work to home. Even with the proposed introduction of the Metro and an additional 1,600 or more public buses, the thought of adding a couple of hours or more onto a working day is less than appealing.

Although 50,000 low-cost houses may seem a lot, in comparison to the number of residents in Dubai now, and increasing every month, it is not. So other developers must step in and contribute to easing the burden on the middle income and lower income bracket workers. It was once said that anyone earning less than Dh15,000 a month would find it very difficult to live in Dubai.

However, what with spiralling rents and shortages of accommodation, this sum has become unrealistic and a figure nearer Dh20,000 would probably be more correct.

The divide between what must be earned to have a reasonable level of existence, and what is actually received by the majority, creates a divide in society which will in time fester like an open sore and create difficulties at a later day unless addressed. It must be remembered that the lower paid workers are those who help oil the wheels of society.