The government has expanded the Bank of Maldives (BML) affordable housing project by 710 flats under its "Housing for All" programme, increasing the total number of planned units to 3,970.

Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) announced the decision during a media briefing on Saturday.

He said the additional units were assigned to BML because of the bank's capacity to implement the project.

"BML has the capacity to increase the number of flats. A total of 3,260 units had already been awarded. Another 710 are now being added to the project," Shareef said.

The affordable housing project, which is being implemented through a combination of local and foreign contractors, will see flats constructed in Vilimale' and Hulhumale' Phases 1 and 3.

Shareef said all but one of the contractors previously awarded work on the initial 3,260 flats had completed the design stage and obtained approval for their drawings, allowing construction to begin soon.

Construction has already commenced on parts of the project. Foundation stones have been laid for 1,224 housing units in Hulhumal3', while Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC) has begun work on a 300-unit development in Vilimale'.

China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) has been contracted to construct 1,190 flats, while Amin Construction has been awarded a contract for 364 units.

According to the government, the housing developments will be delivered under a lease-to-own financing model managed by BML.

All 3,970 housing units are scheduled for completion by the middle of 2028.