The UAE government has approved Dh290.4 million ($79 million) in housing loans besides grants for 490 eligible Emirati citizens under its Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, said a report.

The amount covers 352 residential housing grants and 79 housing loans, reported the state news agency Wam citing Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development.

The move reflects the government's keen efforts to promote happiness, provide modern housing units, and decent living conditions and welfare for all citizens, said Dr Al Nuaimi, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of the national housing scheme.

This is in keeping with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces

In another development, the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) has announced plans to distribute 365 houses and 5,463 plots of land to citizens in the emirate.

Some 4,065 plots will be distributed in Abu Dhabi, 1,215 in Al Ain, and 183 in the Western Region, stated the Wam report.

On the housing units, ADHA said 115 of these homes will be handed over to citizens in Abu Dhabi,129 in Al Ain, and 121 in the Western Region.

All the housing units have been designed and built to the Estidama Two Pearl design rating, which confirms that construction meets the highest innovative green standards, it added.