Applications now open for land plots and flats

Applications are now open for land plots and flats under this government's first housing scheme. 

The Housing Ministry stated that the deadline for applications for flats is 11:59pm on April 17. In the case of land plots, applications can be submitted until 11:59pm on March 4. 

Under this government's housing policy, citizens of age 18 years and above can apply for this housing scheme. Applications are to be sent in via the government's 'Hiyaavehi' Portal. 

According to the policy on issuing flats, persons who have resided in Male' for a minimum of 15 years, as well as those registered in Male', can apply for flats. Under this, 7,900 flats will be issued. 

As per the policy, 4000 flats are allocated for Male' residents, and 1,500 flats for persons from other islands who have resided in Male' for a minimum of 15 years. 800 out of the remaining 2000 flats are reserved for personnel of state institutions such as the Police and MNDF. Under this category, flats are also reserved for single parents, fishermen, tourism sector personnel and taxi drivers. 

Under the policy on issuing land plots, 15,000 land plots of 1,250sqft in size will be allocated. Land issuance will be conducted in two categories. 

In line with the policy, 10,000 land plots will be issued to Male' residents. Of these, 7,000 are reserved for residents registered to Male' addresses since birth, and another 1,000 are reserved for those on the Male' registry. 2,000 land plots are set aside for persons who have been registered to Male' addresses later in life. 

Residents of other islands who live in Male' have 3,000 land plots reserved for them, while persons who have failed to inherit property from parents for various reasons are to be allocated 500 land plots. Another 1,000 land plots are reserved for those who own land plots in narrow lanes of capital Male' under land exchange programs, as the location prevents them from developing their land plots. 

The policy states that residents of other islands can apply for land plots provided they have resided in Male' for an uninterrupted period of a minimum of 15 years. As per the policy, residency of 15 consecutive years will be considered in the following situations:

- Living outside of Male' due to employment requirements

- Family living in Male' even while the applicant is outside of Male' for work purposes

- Children continuing their education in Male' even during the period the applicant spends outside Male' for work purposes

- Spouse continuing to reside in, or work in, Male' even during the period the applicant spends outside Male' for work purposes

- Necessity to stay outside Male' for an acceptable period for education, medical treatment, or other essential purposes

- A short interval outside of Male' after having moved to Male' would not be taken into consideration if the total time living in Male' exceeds 15 years

Recently, the government also facilitated application for three bedroom apartments for those who received one bedroom apartments in previous housing schemes, provided they relinquish the previously received apartments. This change was brought following requests received during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's recent meetings with Male' residents. 

- The policy previously stated that Male' residents can apply for flats and land plots after a minimum of five years since registration as Male' residents. This has since been changed, with the period shortened to one year. 

- As the policy stands now, applicants are deemed eligible if their spouse does not own property in the Male' area. The policy previously stated that applicants will not be eligible if their spouse owned land in any island of Maldives. 

- If the applicant's spouse owns land outside of the Male' region, the main applicant can separately apply for the housing scheme. 

- It is the ministry that decides whether the applicant is eligible for two or three bedroom flats. 

Factors that will be taken into consideration in granting points include duration of residency in Male', income, number of dependents, number of children with special needs, and such. 

This is the government's first housing scheme for the Male' area. One of President Muizzu's key presidential pledges is to resolve the country's housing crisis.