Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program is paving the way to homeownership for residents, demonstrating remarkable success in its short time since launch. In just six months, this initiative has helped over 2,000 individuals acquire their first homes, leading to more than AED 3.25 billion in residential property transactions. Let’s delve deeper into this transformative program and its far-reaching impacts.

Understanding the FTHB Program

Incepted in July 2025, the FTHB Program was collaboratively developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This initiative aims to democratize homeownership for residents from diverse nationalities and income brackets. By uniting various stakeholders, including government agencies, real estate developers, and financial institutions, the program provides first-time buyers with favorable access to new properties, customized mortgage options, and competitive pricing.

This initiative aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33, which aspires to double the emirate’s economic size by 2033. Additionally, it augments the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and contributes to the UAE’s Year of Community, fostering social cohesion and enhancing economic resilience in the emirate.

Impact and Response

To date, the program has garnered over 41,000 registrations, with 49% of the homes sold to residents who have lived in Dubai for more than five years but had not previously owned any property. This statistic underscores the program’s effectiveness in empowering long-term residents and fostering strong community ties. Moreover, successful purchases have occurred across various participating developers, showcasing the program’s wide-ranging appeal and the robust uptake of tailored mortgage solutions from all five involved banks.

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), emphasized the program’s collaboration between government and private sectors, saying it demonstrates Dubai’s unified approach to making homeownership a reality for many. The initiative not only enhances investor confidence but also accelerates the growth of the real estate sector, in line with Dubai’s economic goals.

Market Response and Future Prospects

Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at DLD, highlighted that the FTHB Program is critical to expanding homeownership and sustaining Dubai’s real estate momentum in 2025, with total transactions hitting AED 917 billion this year. He noted that the program effectively transforms untapped demand into actual property sales, establishing a model for regulatory integration and partnership among developers, financial institutions, and government entities.

This framework simplifies the journey to homeownership, boosting trust and stability in the market. The ongoing activity driven by the program continues to engage residents who previously perceived homeownership as unattainable, marking a significant change for many first-time buyers.

Personal Stories of Transformation

Personal testimonials from early participants reflect the program’s life-altering effects. Fatma Almarri shared her initial struggles with homeownership on a single income but praised the program for simplifying her path to financial independence. Similarly, Jade Lee, who grew up in a non-homeowning family, described securing her own property as a transformative milestone, emphasizing the newfound stability it provides her for a better future.

As the FTHB Program expands to include additional developers and partners, it promises to offer a more diverse assortment of property options for potential homeowners. This growth is not just about increasing the available inventory but also about shaping a more inclusive and dynamic real estate market in Dubai. Ultimately, the program is committed to supporting families and individuals as they seek to create lasting homes in a vibrant city, marking a significant step forward in Dubai’s journey towards a brighter economic future.