Glossary & framework library

Affordable housing

Residential

Reference

Housing priced so that lower- and middle-income households spend no more than a set share of income (often 30 percent) on rent or purchase; a growing policy focus in Egypt and Saudi Arabia's housing programmes.

Related terms

  • Build-to-rent (BTR)

    Purpose-built residential developed specifically to be rented rather than sold.

  • Buy-to-let

    A property bought specifically to rent out for income and capital growth rather than to occupy; a mainstay of individual investor demand in Dubai's off-plan an…

  • Co-living

    A rental format offering private bedrooms with shared kitchens, lounges, and services, marketed to young professionals; gaining traction in Dubai and Riyadh as…

  • Compound (gated community)

    A walled residential development with controlled access and shared amenities (security, pools, retail, schools), the dominant premium housing format in Cairo's…

  • First-time buyer

    A purchaser buying their first home, often targeted by developers and governments with preferential pricing, lower deposits, or subsidised finance to widen own…

  • Gated community

    A residential development with controlled access and shared amenities.

  • Gross rental yield

    Annual rent as a percentage of a residential property price.

  • Handover

    The point at which a completed unit is transferred to the buyer.