Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib has stated today that including draft applications, there are a total of 37,000 applications for housing under the government's first Male'-area housing scheme.
At a press conference held at the President's Office, Minister Muththalib said that as of now, 27,000 forms have been submitted, while another 17,000 are in draft stage.
Muththalib stated that these numbers indicate the pressing need for housing. He noted that this time, applications can only be sent in if neither partner in a married couple have housing. Despite, these controls, the number of applicants are significantly high, demonstrating the widespread need for housing, the minister stressed.
Under the Aailee Boahiyaavahikan program, 7,900 flats and 15,000 land plots of 1,250 sqft will be given away. The land plots will be given from Rasmale'.
In the case of flats, 4000 are to be given to Male' residents, 1,500 to persons from other islands living in Male', and 2,400 for special categories.
Muththalib noted that housing needs have been addressed in various forms since 2008, and shared details of previous housing schemes.
Previous housing schemes
- In former President Mohamed Nasheed's administration, 1000 flats under aid from China EXIM Bank, 180 flats from Coralvilla, and flats from TATA in Male' were constructed, making a total of 1500 flats.
- In former President Abdulla Yameen's administration, when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had been serving as Housing Minister, over 10,000 flats were developed, Muththalib said. This includes 407 flats (Pink flats) in Hulhumale', 7000 flats under the Hiyaa project, 1344 flats at Vinares, and over 1000 flats by SOEs. This marks the highest number of flats built within a single administration.
- In former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, 4000 flats were constructed.
- This administration, meanwhile, has commenced construction of 3,260 flats in the Male' region. Also finalized now are BML's funding of 540 housing units, construction of 500 units through interest-free loans, 400 flats through Saudi Fund aid, and 4000 housing units in Gulhi Falhu under India's LOC.
Although the projects are not proceeding at the desired speed, funding has been confirmed for all these projects, the minister said. He said that the government had to come up with innovative models for funding housing as they had met with funding challenges due to hefty loans and debt accumulated by the previous administration.
The minister announced that local companies had expressed interest in developing housing after the government decided to provide free land and other incentives. The project to develop 2000 flats has not been submitted to the Economic Council for consideration, he said. Discussions are also underway for the construction of an additional 1000 flats, he added.
