The Government is set to introduce two new categories under the Housing for All scheme, with applications expected to open in early March, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said.

Speaking to State media, Minister Dr Muththalib said that the new categories are intended to address longstanding challenges faced by families who lack adequate housing arrangements. Each of the two categories will allocate 1,000 land plots.

Under the revised policy, individuals will be allowed to apply for land separately, including in cases where a spouse already owns land. Additionally, the changes will also apply to joint plot holders who agree to relinquish previously allocated land, enabling each party to apply individually under the scheme. The Minister said the eligibility criteria, regulations and scoring system for the new categories are currently being finalised and will be made public before the start of Ramadan.

Minister Dr Muththalib said previous housing schemes had prioritised joint applications, but experience showed that many jointly allocated plots remained unused due to family-related challenges and disputes. He said the revised categories aim to provide separate housing opportunities for families and reduce social pressures linked to shared ownership arrangements.

The policy changes follow an announcement made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during his Presidential Address, in which he said the Government would revise housing regulations to allow spouses to apply separately for land. The move was in response to concerns raised by beneficiaries of earlier land schemes who later sought individual housing due to family circumstances.

The Housing for All scheme, launched in November last year, has allocated 15,000 land plots and 7,900 flats under multiple categories, including provisions for Malé residents, atoll residents living in the capital, and special-category applicants. The current application window for land plots under the scheme closes on 4 March, while applications for flats will remain open until 17 April.