Presidential candidate for The Democrats and MP for Hulhudhoo constituency, Ilyas Labeeb, has proposed a housing scheme aimed at addressing the housing and congestion issues in Malé.
The primary objective of the housing scheme proposed by Ilyas for the upcoming election, known as "Greater Malé Area ge Thassavaru– Veshifahi Malé," is to alleviate congestion in Malé and ensure that every resident in the city can enjoy a comfortable life without worries.
Ilyas's manifesto emphasizes that the existing housing schemes have not provided a swift solution to the housing crisis, and what is required is a rapid and effective solution to address this issue.
"Ilyas Labeeb believes that we cannot afford to wait another ten to fifteen years to address the housing crisis in Malé. This is an urgent need that must be addressed immediately," the manifesto, outlining the proposed solutions, stated.
- To declare Himmafushi, Huraa, and Thulusdhoo in Malé atoll as part of the Greater Malé area and to develop housing projects in those areas
- Provide housing for more than 25,000 families during the first five years
- Provide settlement allowances for people willing to settle outside of Malé
- To shift landowners in Vilimalé that wishes to develop buildings higher than six floors to Hulhumalé
- To provide an alternate housing option in the form of a land plot or a condominium to the most congested blocks in Malé
He said the objective of these solutions is to provide affordable housing to people living in “concrete blocks”.
Ilyas has proposed dividing these solutions into two phases. In the first phase, five blocks currently under the control of the government and state-owned companies will be immediately vacated to make way for the construction of 15-storey condominium buildings. These buildings will offer two-room and three-room units along with parking spaces and shops. The first phase aims to construct a total of 2,347 condominium units in the blocks that will be vacated, with the entire project estimated to cost MVR 3.9 billion.
The units will be completed within the first 18 months of their administration, with priority given to the residents of the 10 most congested blocks in the city. Each person above the age of 18 years will be provided with a separate condominium unit, and landowners in these blocks will receive plots of land not less than 1,000 square feet each.
According to the proposal, there are 4,187 people above the age of 18 registered in the ten most congested blocks in Malé. If the state provides compensation for the lands with the oldest and most worn-out buildings, it is estimated that the state will have to spend about MVR 4 billion on this project. Compensation for smaller plots of land is estimated to be around MVR 2.8 billion.
In the second phase of the policy, another 10 blocks will be vacated, and 5,147 condominium units will be constructed and handed over in the course of 18 months.
- 50 percent of these units will be given to Malé citizens while the other 50 percent will be given to Malé residents
- The Malé City Council will provide housing to the residents of Malé City who do not earn enough to afford adequate housing.
- 2,000 two-room and three-room flats will be constructed as council housing. These places will not be less than 650 square feet and 900 square feet respectively.
With the construction of new housing units after vacating the congested areas, the city's roads will be divided into three categories to accommodate different modes of transportation. Some roads will be designated for vehicles, some for cycling, and some for pedestrians.
The manifesto also addresses the need for faster road construction in Malé, the creation of seating areas near housing buildings, planting of a minimum of 300 large shelter trees, the introduction of school buses, the requirement for small-sized vehicles for Malé city imports, and the establishment of special delivery timings for goods.
The policy aims to create a list of people in need of assistance, such as the disabled and those who are bedridden, and provide them with permanent care under primary health care. Additionally, it plans to build elder care centers for the elderly and daycare centers for infants to ensure that the benefits of urban services reach everyone equally.
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