During the government press conference held on Monday, the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid Al-Hogail, confirmed that a qualitative shift has occurred in the path of the third (non-profit) sector within the municipalities and housing system, stressing the ministry’s success in transforming this sector from mere sponsoring entities to a strategic development partner that directly addresses citizens’ needs and contributes to raising the quality of life.

Record numbers and a sustainable development partnership

Al-Haqil presented the sector's rapid growth in terms of figures, revealing that more than 313 non-profit organizations operate under the umbrella of the system, supported by a massive contingent of over 345,000 volunteers working as a unified team. These efforts align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to increase the non-profit sector's contribution to the GDP and promote a culture of volunteerism. The minister noted that 1.4 million volunteers have registered in the past five years, reflecting a growing public awareness of the importance of humanitarian work.

Housing support and protection for the most vulnerable groups

Regarding the housing sector, a top priority, Al-Haqil explained that the partnership with the non-profit sector has resulted in 106,000 beneficiaries from social security families receiving housing support, in addition to protecting over 200,000 individuals who lost their homes. This reflects the sector's pivotal role in providing a social safety net for housing. He also mentioned the rental support program, which this year helped 6,600 families, thus expanding its reach to include multiple segments of society.

Jood Housing Platform: A Model of Social Solidarity

The minister highlighted the success story of the “Jood Housing” platform, which started by serving only 100 families, and today serves more than 50,000 families, thanks to the support of more than 4.5 million donors and total contributions exceeding 5 billion riyals since 2021. Al-Haqil appreciated the generous support and good example set by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as they were the first to donate to the platform during the month of Ramadan, which enhances confidence in these national platforms.

Quality initiatives to improve the urban landscape

The non-profit sector's efforts were not limited to housing; they extended to improving the urban landscape and quality of life. Al-Haqil noted that the target for 2025 was to establish 33 parks, but the sector successfully achieved 77 parks, significantly exceeding the target. The sector also implemented more than 300 development initiatives and provided over 1,000 services, empowering 100 non-profit organizations and activating supervisory units in 17 municipalities. This underscores the institutionalization of volunteer and development work to ensure its sustainability and direct impact on residents' lives.

In a move that reflects the depth of social solidarity and the wise leadership’s concern for the most needy groups, the Eastern Province witnessed a prominent development event under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, which was represented in the launch of a package of quality projects for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the National Committee for the Care of Prisoners, Released Prisoners and their Families “Tarham Al Sharqia”.

Details of development projects and strategic partnerships

The director of the committee's Eastern Province branch, Ali bin Mohammed Al-Dabaan, revealed details of this massive initiative, which included 13 development projects with a total cost exceeding 53 million Saudi riyals. These projects were distinguished by their diversity, encompassing residential, employment, and social aspects. They created 158 jobs in cooperation with leading companies such as Al-Yamamah Company, Masar Utilities Company, Sultan Transport Company, and the Tuwaiq Association. In the residential sector, 40 families were provided with housing units thanks to generous support from Mufreh Al-Harbi & Partners Company.

The projects also included the establishment of a craftsmen's center in the Al-Ahsa Governorate prison with the support of Saudi Aramco, to enable inmates to acquire professional skills, in addition to car ownership projects, family counseling, and support for those about to get married with funding from the Abdullah Al-Rajhi Charitable Foundation.

Context of the national vision and the non-profit sector

These initiatives come within the framework of the development drive underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which has placed great emphasis on empowering the non-profit sector and increasing its contribution to the GDP. The Tarahum Committee serves as a prime example of integrated efforts between the government, private, and third sectors, with these partnerships aiming to transform charitable work from simply providing direct aid to fostering sustainable development and empowering individuals.

Expected social and economic impact

His Royal Highness the Prince of the Eastern Province affirmed that these projects carry a profound humanitarian and developmental dimension, as their impact extends beyond mere financial support to include strengthening family and social stability. Empowering prisoners and released inmates and reintegrating them into society as active and productive members directly contributes to reducing recidivism rates and protects their families from disintegration, thus enhancing community security and cohesion. These efforts highlight the leadership's commitment to providing equal opportunities for all and instilling values ​​of responsibility and discipline, ensuring the positive integration of this group into the national fabric.