Government Begins Verifying 50,000 Applications for 'Housing for All' Scheme

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has launched a comprehensive cross-verification process for more than 50,000 citizens seeking land and flats under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's flagship "Housing for All" initiative. This administrative phase is a critical step toward fulfilling a primary electoral pledge to ensure every citizen has access to secure housing. The application period, which ran from January 18 to June 15, saw an overwhelming response from the public, reflecting the urgent demand for affordable living solutions in the Maldives. According to official data, the Ministry received over 35,900 applications for flats and more than 22,000 requests for land. To ensure the process remains fair and transparent, the government is now meticulously comparing applicant data against records from various state agencies. A primary focus of this verification is confirming residency status, particularly for those applying within the densely populated Male' region. State Minister for Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Nazim Mohamed, confirmed to PSM News that while the volume of applications makes the process time-consuming, the rigor is necessary to maintain eligibility standards. In a departure from previous governmental approaches, Minister Nazim emphasized that administrative groundwork is being completed well before construction begins. By finalizing the beneficiary list and planning phases early, the administration aims to avoid the chronic delays that plagued past housing projects, which were often launched too close to the end of political terms. The government has expressed a commitment to completing a significant portion of these housing projects within the next two years, ensuring that eligible families can move into their new homes promptly and efficiently.