The United Arab Emirates announced its plan to build tens of thousands of housing units for its local population for which the government has allocated 32 billion dirhams ($8.7 billion). The instructions came from President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The plan will see 34,000 units built for nationals within the next six years. The income limit for beneficiaries of housing grants was raised to 15,000 from 10,000 dirhams per month, and the maximum value for housing loans was raised to 1.2 million dirhams from 800,000. "We have pledged, from the beginning, to ensure that every UAE citizen is provided with a home, and that no area is left undeveloped," noted the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. "Our first, second and third focus is on Emiratis, and we will not be sidetracked from ensuring a sound quality of life for all citizens," Sheikh Mohammed added.