Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has announced a new social housing scheme named “Accomplished Scheme” to provide shelter for 82,000 families within the next five years.
While Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the units will be completed within the next five years but did not specify a date.
Speaking at the press conference on Wednesday, Minister Muizzu said that “Accomplished scheme” will bring a permanent solution to the housing issues faced by Maldivian citizens and that they will begin issuing application forms for the new scheme from the 07th of August.
While applications will be accepted from the 15th of August onward, the ministry assured that all of the applicants will be issued shelter under the new housing scheme. The opportunity for application is scheduled to be opened for four months.
According to the Ministry, qualifications for applicant include being over 18 years of age and not owning land of 1,000 square feet. They further said that each applicant will be given two options, which are to apply for a 1,000 square-foot flat or to apply for a plot of land with 1,000 square-foot.
“This new scheme will proceed in the next [presidential] term. Construction of housing units under this scheme will be completed within five years and will provide housing solutions for the next 30 – 40 years,” said Minister Muizzu.
Highlighting that the housing units will be based in Gulhifalhu, Minister Muizzu said that the region will be reclaimed for the project. Moreover, the Minister revealed that land allocations from Fushi Dhiggaru will commence once the area is reclaimed. He added that these regions will be linked with bridges.
“President Yameen has announced the "Accomplished Scheme". Residents who desire flats will receive them and residents who desire plots of land, will receive them” said Muizzu.
The government is also accepting application forms for the 7,000 flats under their current housing scheme. However, those who have applied for the current housing scheme will not have the opportunity to apply for the new scheme. The Minister said that those who have applied for the current scheme may apply for the new scheme after withdrawing their previous application forms.
Muizzu went on to say that Gulhifalhu has been planned to be developed under the name “Villimale-2”.
“Land will be reclaimed after checking applications of those who applied for plots of land in Fushi Dhiggaru. Both the coast of Gulhifalhu and Fushi Dhiggaru will be reclaimed at the same time,” said Muizzu.
The Housing Minister highlighted that land reclamation will be carried out using the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC)’s dredger and that the project will be carried out in collaboration with significant international companies. The Minister added that this project includes establishing a breakwater as well as the construction of roads.
Although the minister went into the details regarding the new housing scheme, he had refrained from revealing a project inauguration date. The minister had also ignored questions by the press regarding budget and expenses for the project.
He had however told media that the project will progress with the help of loans from exim banks as well as under the state budget, adding that construction work may be funded by the expenses of international companies. Muizzu had not revealed an estimated cost for the new housing project.
