300 Affordable Housing Units Break Ground in Vilimale' to Ease Urban Pressure

300 Affordable Housing Units Break Ground in Vilimale' to Ease Urban Pressure

Politics ·
A landmark project to build 300 affordable housing units in Vilimale' officially commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The development, part of the Bank of Maldives (BML) Affordable Housing Project, aims to create lasting housing opportunities for current and future generations of Vilimale' residents. Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, who spoke at the ceremony, described the project as a key initiative by President Muizzu designed to bring significant change to families in the area. He acknowledged that the government's earlier decision to permit 10-storey buildings in Vilimale' faced criticism but stated it was driven by the need to address population growth and housing demand. The government's vision is to elevate Vilimale' to a standard comparable to Malé and Hulhumalé. The project fulfills a presidential pledge made in November 2023 to find an adequate solution for Vilimale's housing issues. It aligns with the broader 'Housing for All' policy, which rests on three pillars: increasing real estate access for higher-income families, providing bank-mortgaged affordable housing for middle-income families, and delivering social housing for those unable to afford homes independently. The administration is actively working to expand the banking sector's role in affordable housing. Developed by Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Pvt Ltd, the project will see the construction of three 17-storey residential towers, each designed to preserve Vilimale's greenery. Each tower will contain three-room apartments measuring 900 square feet. This Vilimale' initiative is a component of a larger national effort under the BML Affordable Home Leasing scheme, which aims to develop a total of 3,260 housing units across Hulhumalé Phase I, Hulhumalé Phase II, and Vilimale'. The scheme operates on a lease-to-own framework, facilitating a clear pathway for residents to achieve homeownership.