Dubai: Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme is accelerating the path to home ownership for residents across the emirate, having already enabled over 2,000 residents to purchase their first home in the last six months and driving more than AED3.25 billion in residential property sales, according to the latest figures from the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
According to Emirates News Agency, the FTHB Programme, launched in July 2025, was developed jointly by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and DLD. The initiative aims to make home ownership more accessible for residents of all nationalities and income levels by bringing together government partners, developers, and financial institutions. It offers first-time buyers priority access to new projects, tailored mortgage solutions, and preferential pricing.
The Programme aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and consolidate its position as a leading global destin
ation for talent. It also supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and contributes to the UAE’s Year of Community by promoting social cohesion and economic resilience.
To date, more than 41,000 residents have registered in the Programme. Of the units purchased, 49% were bought by residents who have lived in Dubai for more than five years without previously owning a home, highlighting the Programme’s success in empowering long-term residents to become homeowners and strengthening community roots.
The Programme has facilitated successful transactions across participating developers, alongside strong uptake of tailored mortgage solutions by first-time buyers through all five participating banks, reinforcing its role in expanding access to home ownership.
Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), stated that the remarkable response to the First-Time Home Buyer Programme reflects Dubai’s spirit of partnership. The initiative unites government, developers, and financial institutio
ns to turn homeownership into a reality for thousands, strengthening investor confidence and accelerating the real estate sector’s contribution to Dubai’s economy.
Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at Dubai Land Department, affirmed that the Programme represents a pivotal initiative in expanding residential homeownership and sustaining Dubai’s real estate market momentum in 2025. The sector recorded exceptional performance this year, with total real estate transactions reaching AED917 billion, reflecting growing confidence and robust demand.
The Programme continues to drive activity across Dubai’s real estate sector by deepening end-user demand and expanding access for residents who previously viewed homeownership as unattainable. Many early buyers have described the Programme as a pivotal turning point in their ability to establish long-term roots in the city.
As it expands with additional partners, including more developers, the Programme will offer broader choices, ensuring aspi
ring homeowners have access to a wider selection of properties. The FTHB Programme is shaping a more inclusive, future-focused property market, strengthening Dubai’s long-term competitiveness while supporting families and individuals as they build their lives in the city.