since 2011, saudi arabia has been affected by its own arab spring protests. in response, king abdullah announced on 22 february 2011 a series of benefits for citizens amounting to $36 billion, of which $10.7 billion was earmarked for housing. no political reforms were announced as part of the package, though some prisoners indicted for financial crimes were pardoned. on 18 march the same year, king abdullah announced a package of $93 billion, which included 500,000 new homes to a cost of $67 billion, in addition to creating 60,000 new security jobs.