President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government is considering better housing options for individuals who relinquish existing one-bedroom flats allocated under the Government’s Social Housing Scheme.

The President made the remarks while addressing residents of Maafannu last night, where he assured the public that resolving the housing challenges facing residents of Malé remains a top priority of his administration.

He said the dredging of Hulhumalé Phase III is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Upon completion, the two dredgers currently in use will be redeployed to Gulhifalhu, where dredging work is expected to be completed within a few months.

The President also confirmed that land allocations in Gulhifalhu are progressing, noting that plots have been handed over to recipients except in areas reserved for infrastructure such as bridge sites and beaches. He said remaining recipients who have yet to receive their plots are being contacted for handover.

President Dr Muizzu further revealed that the dredging of Rasmalé is advancing rapidly using two dredgers and that arrangements are being finalised to allocate 15,000 land plots in the area. Applications for these plots are scheduled to open in January.

According to the President, the allocation of 15,000 plots is expected to significantly ease the housing shortage in Malé.

He reiterated that the Government is reviewing options to extend land allocation opportunities to individuals who opt out of one-bedroom flats under social housing schemes, as part of broader measures to provide long-term housing solutions for residents of the Greater Malé Region.