A total of 19 underprivileged families in Karak and the Southern Jordan Valley Saturday received the keys to new homes that were given to them under the Royal Initiative for the housing of poor families across the Kingdom.

The initiative was launched in 2005 upon a directive by His Majesty King Abdullah II to improve the quality of life of families in need. Families are selected based on fair and transparent criteria by the Ministry of Social Development.

The Royal Court Chief and head of the committee to follow up on Implementation Yousef Issawi handed the keys to these families in the areas of Zahoum, A'yy and the Southern Jordan Valley.

A disabled man also received a special home during the ceremony, which was attended by Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kasbi, Minister of Social Development Ayman Mufleh and Karak Governor Bilal Nsour.

Issawi said that King Abdullah II ordered that these families spend the Eid Al-Fitr holiday in their new homes.