President Muizzu’s Housing Pledge: Projects Still “About to Begin” as Term Nears Midpoint

While the government has maintained that its top priority is ensuring basic housing for every citizen, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s remarks during Thursday night’s "Rayyithunge Adu" program—stating that housing projects are "now about to begin"—have raised serious questions regarding the administration's ability to fulfill its pledges.

During a meeting with members of the public on the President’s Office program "Rayyithunge Adu", the President stated that a significant number of people would receive flats by 2028. However, with more than half of the presidential term already concluded, the current progress of housing construction suggests that these remarks are more likely to be mere rhetoric than a foreseeable reality.

The primary concern raised by the majority of participants in President Muizzu’s public outreach program was the lack of housing. Many expressed frustration that despite having previously received official documentation for housing, those commitments were subsequently not honored. Consequently, they appealed during the meetings for their right to housing to be fulfilled.

In response to a couple, Muizzu stated, "We will be able to hand over the flats once they are built; construction is beginning now."

Speaking at a gathering held at the People’s National Congress (PNC) headquarters on the night of May 14 following the local council elections, Muizzu assured that his administration would guarantee housing for more citizens than any other government in Maldivian history.

Despite those assurances, President Muizzu’s remarks on Thursday night suggest that the government’s progress to date has fallen short of what is required to fulfill his pledged housing policy for the public.

Furthermore, during a press conference held at the President's Office on June 29th of this year, President Muizzu assured the public that efforts to fulfill one of the government's most vital pledges—providing housing for all citizens—are proceeding "uninterrupted." The President further guaranteed that major housing projects would be completed and handed over to the people by mid-2028.

The President stated that the government will prioritize not just the completion of housing projects, but ensuring that flats are fully finished and ready for citizens to move into—a level of commitment he claimed was unseen in previous administrations. He noted that all preparations have been finalized to commence physical work on housing projects across 13 islands awarded in late 2025, with financial arrangements secured and advance payments processed. However, the government has yet to disclose the current status or subsequent progress of the aforementioned projects.

President Muizzu, who announced the "Housing for All" policy during this year's opening session of Parliament, stated during a program on Thursday night that he is exploring ways to "implement as many housing projects as possible in Malé." However, the government has yet to disclose details of any new housing initiatives, apart from the project already launched and funded by the Bank of Maldives.

President Muizzu stated during last year's official Republic Day ceremony that his administration’s prioritized efforts to fulfill housing pledges have now reached a stage where implementation is feasible. He announced that 15,000 land plots would be opened for application from the reclaimed area of Rasmalé within approximately five months. Furthermore, he noted that development would commence on 3,000 housing units in the Malé region, while an additional 4,000 units had been secured through an Indian Line of Credit. Although the President stated that further details regarding these projects would be shared soon, the government has yet to disclose any progress on these initiatives so far this year.

Furthermore, during the presidential address delivered at the opening of the People’s Majlis on February 6th, it was stated that the "historic budget" allocated for housing in the 2025 state budget would provide a sustainable solution to the housing crisis and benefit the citizens. It was noted that 1.5 billion Rufiyaa had been earmarked from the state budget for housing projects, with preparations underway to commence the construction of 12,940 housing units across the country, excluding the capital, Malé. However, as the year draws to a close, there is no clarity on the status of that budget, nor are there any visible housing projects initiated under it.

During an appearance on the program, where a couple shared the hardships of their current living situation, President Muizzu reassured them, stating, "You can be more certain than ever before; this time, it will be resolved."