Amendment to mandate publishing housing points system

An amendment has been proposed that would require the publication of not only the list of recipients of social housing flats but also a detailed breakdown of how points were awarded to each applicant.

In a letter to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah, Galolhu North MP, MDP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) submitted the proposed amendment. The amendment would introduce a new provision following Section 51 of the Housing Bill, which currently covers the publication of social housing applicant lists.

Under the proposed changes, the Housing Ministry would be legally required to publish a comprehensive list of all applicants for social housing programs.

The list must include:

1. Full name

2. Permanent address

3. Eligibility status (and if ineligible, the reason)

4. A detailed breakdown of the points awarded

At present, the government publishes lists of flat recipients that include full names, permanent addresses, and the reasons for disqualification where applicable. However, the method and breakdown of the points awarded are not made made and only the final total of points each person received are publicized.

The lack of transparency in the point-awarding process has drawn criticism, particularly regarding the distribution of flats in Hulhumalé Phase 2 under the former administrations Gedhoruveriyaa Scheme. Many applicants have publicly protested, claiming they were unfairly given fewer points and alleging that some recipients were awarded flats despite not meeting the eligibility criteria.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also investigated the distribution of 4,000 flats and found that some applicants had been awarded points unlawfully.