Zakat Fund to cover flat down payments for people on poverty register

Zakat House has announced it will pay the down payments for several low-income individuals who received government flats but were unable to make the required deposits.

In a statement issued today, the Zakat House, which operates under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs said it had identified cases of people on the state’s poverty register who had been allocated flats under the government’s social housing programme but had not yet paid their down payments.

Following discussions with the Zakat Council, the agency decided to cover these payments through the Zakat Fund. A total of MVR 340,000 will be paid on behalf of 14 recipients, directly to the relevant authorities rather than being deposited into personal accounts.

The Zakat House said the poverty status of the beneficiaries will be reviewed after the payments, taking into account improvements in their living conditions.

There are currently 2,852 people listed on the national poverty register eligible for property and Fitr zakat assistance.

The decision comes as recipients of the 4,000 social housing flats in Hulhumale' Phase 2 are being asked to pay their down payments before taking possession of their homes. The first group of residents received their keys last month, with water and electricity connections completed and some families already moving in.

Since its establishment by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Zakat House has also taken on the role of providing financial support and insurance for individuals with chronic illnesses, including cancer, who are registered as poor.