Local media outlets reported last Saturday that the Housing Minister of Saudi Arabia disclosed the possibility of urban lands that are left unused would be confiscated. These, he said, lands can used to build additional homes for the country.
The Saudi Government is the top oil exporter in the world and largest economy in Gulf Coast. The country is said to be aggressively aiming to improve its sectors in labor and housing that would enable Saudis to find a place to live and job while working for private companies.
As part of their long term investment, affluent Saudi Arabians have purchased residential lands around the country which resulted in the lots to become too expensive for buyers and developers of lower-income housing. Previously, lands were awarded to Saudi Arabians who can not afford to purchase them as land grants.
Housing Minister Shuwaish al-Duwaihi commented in a television interview reported by the newspaper Arab News said, "The expropriation of properties for the public interest is done around the world. We might do it in a limited way."
The Minister also added, "Unused military land will also be used for future housing. We are coordinating with military sectors to take their lands which they don't need."
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