Emirati housing

A local newspaper called The National ran this interesting story about housing for Emiratis.  The following is a summary of what I learned from the article, an Emirati friend and other sources:

• Emiratis will never be homeless because the government will provide housing.  Also, there are no water bills and electricity is billed at 5% of what we pay in the US.  (In other words, divide your electricity bill by 20 to get what you'd pay here.)
• Every Emirati family is given land to build on.  I live in the rich emirate of Abu Dhabi where they will also cover the expense of setting up the water/electricity.
• A Dh 500,000 - 750,000 (roughly $130,000 - $200,000) gift is given to help start building.  Typically, the houses - usually a villa - will cost another Dh 1.5 million ($400,000).  Why are villas over $500,000 if the land is free and the plumbing is paid for?  Good question.  It's certainly not the price of Pakistani/Bangladeshi labor that builds it.  Part of the reason may be that most villas are huge to accommodate a dozen or more family plus a maid or two... but I don't have a good understanding why the building costs are so high.
• The loan payment comes out of their paychecks.  If an Emirati loses his job or can't pay he will go to a Sheikh who has the power to wipe out the debt.  
• Many have villas built but continue to live in much smaller government housing.  They rent out the villas to westerners.  (These are westerners who make much more money than me.)  The rent is typically $35,000 - $50,000 per year.  After the loan is paid off the family moves in or continues to collect the rent as a source of income.

This is a family home in Dubai (picture was taken by an Emirati friend). Off to the left are the living quarters for the maids and drivers.  Most villas are much smaller but still huge by Iowa standards.

*****
Also, a correction:  In my first year I was told that the government pays Dh 2000 per child per month.  That would be $540 per month in welfare.  I recited that fact many times while back home.  I've now been told by multiple sources that it is only Dh 600... which is $163 per month per child.