Housing ministry to decide flat sizes under new allocation rules

Housing Ministry will determine whether applicants are allocated two- or three-bedroom flats under the government’s new housing policy, based on applicants’ living conditions, according to newly announced regulations for flat allocation in the Male' area.

While applicants will be able to indicate their preference for a two or three bedroom unit when submitting applications, the regulations states that the final decision on flat size will be made by the ministry following the evaluation process.

The ministry said the updated regulations are designed to prioritize long-term residents of Male' through a revised points system. Changes have also been made to how points are awarded for family composition, including households with children of both sexes. The scheme is open to applicants without housing, but individuals will be ineligible if their spouse already owns or has received housing.

Under the government’s housing policy, 7,500 flats will be built in the Male' area. Applicants fall into two categories: permanent residents of Male' City and residents of other islands who are currently living in Male'.

Applicants must:

The regulations also outline two housing delivery models under the government’s Housing for All policy, implemented through the Inclusive National Affordable Housing Scheme introduced by the Maldives Monetary Authority to support first-time homebuyers in the Male' area.

Model 1: Affordable Home Ownership Model This model covers housing projects financed by developers or investors through banks. Eligible beneficiaries include:

Model 2: Rent to own model This model applies to bank financed housing projects and targets:

Announcing the policy on 16 November, the minister of construction, construction and housing, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, said 7,500 flats would be provided under the rent to own model.

The ministry has said flat recipients will be selected through a points-based system, with points primarily awarded based on length of residence in Male', family home ownership, age group and family status. Family status will include consideration of the number of children, including cases where applicants are unable to have children for medical reasons.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that 15,000 land plots and 7,500 flats will be allocated under the current government’s housing policy.

The government has already allocated land in Hulhumale' Phase 1 and 2, as well as Vilimale', to the Bank of Maldives for the construction of 3,000 flats under the scheme.