President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government will open applications for housing in the Malé area later this month after revising eligibility criteria to address public concerns.

The President made the announcement on Thursday evening at the inauguration of the People’s National Congress office, stating that the revised terms reflect proposals raised during recent community meetings. Applications are scheduled to open on 15 January for approximately 7,900 flats and 15,000 plots in the Malé City area.

Under the updated criteria, families currently residing in one-room flats allocated under earlier housing schemes will be eligible to apply for three-room units if they are unable to continue living in their existing accommodation due to space constraints. Successful applicants will be required to vacate their current flats upon allocation. The revised rules also allow recipients of two-room apartments under previous social housing schemes to apply for larger units if they have children of both genders under the age of 18, subject to the same condition.

The President further stated that, based on public feedback, individuals registered in Malé City for at least one year will now be eligible to apply for the flats.

Outlining the land allocation framework, the President said 15,000 plots will be issued under the scheme. Of these, 7,000 plots are allocated for native Malé residents, 1,000 for those registered on the Malé Dhaftharu, and 2,000 for individuals registered at a later stage. An additional 500 plots have been reserved for applicants without inherited property, while 3,000 plots are designated for residents from other islands who have lived in Malé City for a minimum of 15 years. A further 1,500 plots are allocated for individuals willing to relinquish homes located on narrow streets that limit access to construction financing.

President Dr Muizzu said the Government had prioritised resolving housing and land constraints from the beginning of its term, rather than deferring action to later years, emphasising a commitment to delivering a lasting and practical solution to long-standing challenges in the capital.