Housing Ministry has signed agreements with 50 landowners in Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo to develop housing units on privately owned plots under the government’s housing scheme.

The initiative follows a policy announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in February last year, allowing individuals who own land but cannot afford construction costs to have housing units built by the government on their own property.

Applications for the scheme were opened after the announcement.

According to the Housing Ministry, the Kudahuvadhoo project will be carried out under a contractor-finance model and will consist of 900square feet three-bedroom housing units.

The project was awarded to Flexinc Pvt Ltd on 6 November last year.

During a visit to Dhaalu atoll last year, President Muizzu said the programme would operate alongside the government’s broader flat construction projects, while also giving residents the option of developing homes on their own land.

He said that once the number of participants is finalized, remaining housing units would be constructed in designated areas of the island.

The president said many residents preferred the arrangement because of difficulties in securing housing loans, although the government had also introduced easier financing options for home construction.

Under the scheme, residents can choose either to obtain loans and build independently or hand over their land for government-developed housing units.

President Muizzu has pledged to resolve housing shortages across the Maldives during his presidential term.