All 4000 flats' applicants will receive housing within this term: Ministry

Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has stated that all applicants for the 4000 flats announced by the last administration who did not make the recipients list this time will be awarded housing within this term without the need to apply for another housing scheme.

When the previous government announced the Gedhoruveriya scheme, where flats were to be awarded, about 20,000 individuals applied. Of these, recipients of 4000 flats were selected, which the current government has now verified and published a final list of on February 28.

With allegations and concerns being raised in regards to this final list, the ministry responded that no new policy had been made in reviewing the list, but rather it had been done in accordance with the previously announced guidelines. They said that verification had been of those who had applied for three room apartments and received a minimum of 75 points, and those who had applied for two room apartments and received 73 points.

The ministry assured that those who did not make the recipients list this time would not have to face the inconvenience of applying under a new housing scheme. They said that in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to provide housing for all in need by the end of the term, these applicants will also receive housing within the term.

Housing Ministry reiterated that verification of forms had been conducted under a directive from the Anti Corruption Commission.

Complaints regarding the final list can be submitted until March 31. The first three days saw over 700 complaints sent in.

After this government reviewed the list of recipients announced by the former administration, 1,820 of those on that list were deemed eligible.

This includes 1,423 recipients of three bedroom flats and 397 recipients of two bedroom flats.

The ministry has said that 2,695 forms were found to not meet requirements. Another 424 persons were removed from the recipients list as changes to points after review left them ineligible.

Responding to criticism about how points were granted, the ministry stated that this was done in accordance with the guideline formed by the Gedhoruverin Committee, based on information submitted by the applicant. These guidelines were used in evaluating the forms as well, they said.

Citing these guidelines, the ministry said that if the main applicant is not a registered resident of Male' for 15 years, then it is through 'verifier verification' that it will be determined if they have resided in Male' for 15 years.

The ministry also responded to claims that many Male' residents have been disqualified, asserting that applicants who have lived in Male' for a minimum of 15 years would not have been disqualified.