The government has decided to award additional housing points to applicants who are caring for their parents and other elderly dependents.
The government has decided to award additional housing points to applicants who are caring for their parents and other elderly dependents.
The decision was made at this week's cabinet meeting based on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
The President's Office said that with this decision by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, this new policy will be in effect in the new housing schemes which the government plans to introduce to facilitate families to live with members of their families who are senior citizens.
The President had announced earlier in February during the inauguration of "Israhvehinge Naadhee" - the social centre for senior citizens in Malé - that special attention would be given to marginalized groups, including senior citizens, participating in the housing projects of the current government.
During the speech, the President has said that in issuing housing, priority will be given to individuals who are caring for parents and other elderly dependents. He further said that in shaping policies, arrangements will be made so as to allow senior citizens who are living independently to also apply for social housing.
These points are included in the Social Housing Bill that the government has submitted to Parliament as well.
As per the bill, the applicants who will be given priority when allocating social housing are:
- persons who are caring for elderly or ill dependents
- persons with disabilities
- persons caring for disabled persons
- persons with serious illnesses
- persons caring for dependents of persons will serious illnesses