Dubai’s drive to turn more residents into homeowners is gathering pace, with the emirate’s First-Time Home Buyer Programme helping more than 3,200 people purchase their first homes and generating over AED5 billion ($1.4 billion) in residential property transactions since its launch in July 2025.
Introduced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the initiative is open to UAE residents aged 18 and above who do not already own a freehold residential property in Dubai.
The programme has attracted strong interest in less than a year, drawing thousands of residents and reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to make long-term homeownership more accessible while strengthening its appeal as a place to live, work and invest.
In its latest expansion, nine additional developers have joined the scheme through new strategic partnerships. The newcomers are 4Direction Developments, Arada, Dubai World Trade Centre, IRTH Group, Manam, Qube Development, Reportage Properties, SAMANA Developers and Sky View Real Estate.
Their inclusion raises the total number of participating developers to 22, significantly widening the pool of homes available to eligible buyers. The broader network offers greater choice across communities, budgets and property categories, giving first-time purchasers more flexibility in finding a suitable home.
The programme is also backed by five banking partners that provide financing options aimed at easing access to property ownership for qualifying residents.
Officials describe the initiative as a key pillar in Dubai’s long-term growth strategy, combining government support with private-sector participation to encourage a more sustainable, end-user-focused housing market. The approach is designed to deepen resident engagement with the city, support talent retention and enhance confidence among both homeowners and investors.
The latest expansion aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to accelerate economic growth and reinforce Dubai’s standing as a global destination for business and talent. It also supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, which aims to increase homeownership rates and expand the property sector’s contribution to the emirate’s economy.
The continued growth of the programme highlights the strength of Dubai’s real estate market and reflects sustained confidence in the emirate’s long-term development plans, even as it pursues broader goals of sustainable urban expansion and economic diversification.
