His Highness Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has approved the second phase of the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program, marking a major advancement in Dubai’s efforts to support Emirati families and promote long-term social stability.

The approval was announced following the first 2026 meeting of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs, which Sheik Hamdan chaired.

A dedicated subcommittee has been formed to oversee implementation of the expanded initiatives.

The program was originally launched on January 4, 2025, by Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai.

It provides comprehensive support to Emirati families through financial assistance, housing solutions, work-life balance policies, educational programs, and community initiatives.

Phase One has already delivered strong results.

The flagship Dubai Weddings initiative has facilitated 1,077 weddings, accounting for 43.5% of all citizen marriages registered in Dubai, a 44% increase over the previous year.

Overall, beneficiary satisfaction has reached 95%.

Key measures introduced in the first phase include reduced housing loan premiums (as low as AED 3,333 per month for eligible couples), access to thousands of new housing units, 10 days of paid marriage leave for government employees, remote working options for new mothers in their first year after maternity leave, and specialised training courses on marital harmony, financial literacy, and family planning.

The second phase will build on this success by introducing additional measures focused on long-term family stability, enhanced neighborhood support, and deeper integration with the Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy.

It forms a core component of the UAE’s national Year of the Family 2026. It aligns with Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to significantly increase the number of Emirati families living in Dubai by 2033.

Sheik Hamdan has consistently emphasized that “strong families form the foundation of a strong society,” reflecting the vision of His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who places citizen welfare and family wellbeing at the heart of Dubai’s development agenda.

The Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program is now regarded as one of the region’s most progressive and impactful family-support frameworks, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global leader in creating family-friendly policies and environments.

Official updates and application details for the program are available through the Community Development Authority (CDA) of Dubai.