President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s announcement of the nationwide ‘First Home’ housing initiative has brought renewed hope, particularly among young Maldivians grappling with rising living costs and limited pathways to home ownership. The programme includes the construction of 4,000 flats in the Malé region and additional housing developments across 57 islands, with priority given to those who lost homes under previous schemes. Its success will hinge on addressing concerns over fairness and overcoming the logistical challenges posed by the Maldives’ dispersed geography.