Ministry of National Planning and Housing and Infrastructure has disclosed that they have so far received more than 5,300 applications for the plots of land and flats the government is to issue to residents of the capital, Malé City and to those that have lived in the capital city for more than 15 years.

Planning Ministry's State Minister Akram stated that the Ministry is getting a lot of support for the portal opened for the application process for the plots of land and flats the government is to issue. As such, he noted that the Ministry had received more than 5,300 applications so far.

The Ministry opened the online application process on June 26, 2022.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced during a press briefing earlier in June when he updated the public on the details regarding the government’s initiative to issue land plots to Malé residents.

During the presser, the president revealed that the first 3,000 plots of land will be announced for issuance by the end of June and that all of the preparations for the venture have been completed.

With this move , the initiative to ensure housing and land ownership for Malé residents, will be mobilized.

President Solih pledged to provide land to permanent residents of the capital city in crucial need of housing by the end of his tenure, as promised, during his presidential address, delivered during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis this year.

Highlighting that access to state resources must be guaranteed for all, the president stated that all the government institutions aim to work together to reach the same destination. The president stated that land will be provided to permanent residents of capital Malé City in crucial need of housing, as promised, by the end of the incumbent administration’s five-year tenure.

The president announced that within the venture, Giraavaru lagoon will be reclaimed and 2,000 plots of land will be provided to permanent Malé residents from the reclaimed land. He said that Giraavaru lagoon will be connected to Greater Male area via Thilamalé bridge.

The government also plans to provide 1,000 plots of land from Hulhumalé and at least 2,000 plots of land from Gulhifalhu reclaimed area to permanent residents of Malé.

The president has earlier noted that adequate housing and home ownership is the “single biggest” need of the people of the Maldives at present, and stated that a total of 2,180 houses are being built through different programs to provide housing within Male region and outlying atolls.