His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said a housing programme is expected to be announced soon as part of a package of plans designed to ease difficult living conditions in the country.

Chairing part of a cabinet meeting, King Abdullah said he would be discussing with Prime Minister Nader Dahabi “a proper housing programme that targets the low-income segment and a large portion of the population.”

In his Speech from the Throne in early December, the King announced that the provision of safe and adequate housing would be a major priority for the government in 2008, describing this year as the "year of housing projects so that those of limited income, public servants and members of the Armed Forces and the security institutions will enjoy decent housing, in appreciation of their contributions to building the homeland and protecting its achievements.”

The King said also said on Monday that the government should also direct its efforts to improving the quality of services offered to citizens and the social and economic conditions of citizens.

“I am aware of the magnitude of the people's suffering as a result of the many challenges facing them like poverty, unemployment and price hikes" he said. "These are significant issues that need workable solutions.”

King Abdullah urged ministers to expedite the implementation of development projects and plans undertaken by their respective ministries, especially in the fields of education, transport, water and health.

He also urged Cabinet members to do more fieldwork and engage directly with citizens in order to be in touch with people's actual needs, noting that officials have so far done a good job in this regard.

Dahabi said his team was working to implement the King's directives included in the Letter of Designation, which the government adopted as its policy statement when it sought the Lower House's confidence upon its inception in November.

A number of ministers briefed the King on projects and programmes under implementation and those being planned in the fields of agriculture, education, transport, planning, labour, health, energy and justice.

A recent government decision to lift oil subsidies, coupled with the rise of prices of several essential commodities in international markets, has contributed to a rising cost of living.

Authorities have been working to translate the King's vision for housing, which provide heads of households an opportunity to own housing units through soft loans.