Ministry formulates policy to allocate 100 housing units in Thulhaadhoo

Housing Ministry has formulated a policy to allocate housing units in Baa Atoll Thulhaadhoo, following prolonged delays caused by administrative and legal issues.

According to the policy announced on Wednesday, 100 housing units will be allocated to individuals who have been residing in Thulhaadhoo for at least 10 years. To be eligible, applicants must not own land exceeding 600 square feet anywhere in the Maldives. Applicants who own land of that size must agree to relinquish it in accordance with the policy.

In addition, the total monthly income must not exceed MVR 60,000.

Applications for the housing units can be submitted through the Hiyaavehi Portal.

The policy awards points based on family size and living conditions. Applicants without children due to a medical condition affecting either spouse must submit a certificate from a registered medical practitioner to be considered under the relevant criteria.

The three-bedroom housing units were constructed by the previous government and completed in 2022, after which they were handed over to the Thulhaadhoo Council. The council had previously formulated a policy and identified recipients for the flats.

However, the allocation process was halted after a case was filed at the Thulhaadhoo Magistrate’s Court, seeking to invalidate the provisional recipient list published by the council on 9 October 2023, which was based on an amended policy.

The court ruled that the Housing Ministry’s recommendation and the policy published on 11 May 2022 should be followed, stating that the amended allocation rules were against the regulations.

Despite the ruling, the flats remained unallocated due to various issues. As a result, the Housing Ministry assumed responsibility for the allocation process last month.

The housing project was awarded in July 2019 to Precision Engineering Services, under a contract valued at MVR 79.6 million. The units comprise three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, storeroom and laundry area.