An agreement has been signed to the development of 2,000 social housing units in Hulhumale.

The government’s Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation Limited signed the agreement with India’s National Buildings Construction Company (NBCC) last Tuesday.

Under the deal, NBCC is to design, finance and construct the 2,000 social housing units in the capital’s reclaimed suburban district.

The project includes construction of 1,400 units of three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as 600 units of two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

While the project is to be completed within 900 days from commencement, Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation Limited is to provide 85 to 100 percent of the project’s finance.

NBCC, who has executed high-value projects abroad, is also developing the largest Indian grant project in the Maldives; the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement Studies (NCPLES) in Addu City.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, speaking at the inaugural session of the People’s Majlis on Thursday, announced that projects to resolve the housing crisis in Male’ which were stalled for various reasons have since resumed. While this includes the 2,000 housing units in Hulhumale’, the president had said that the construction work of the housing units in Hulhumale’ will begin in May.

He noted that these housing units will be “more spacious and more affordable compared to the units previously built under the same category”.

The construction of at least 5,000 units in total is to begin in the Male’ area before the end of this year.