Government Sets Final Deadline for 22,900 Housing Units in Greater Malé

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has announced that applications for land plots and flats under the 'Housing for All' (Boahiyaavahikan Enmenah) initiative will officially close this Monday at 11:59 p.m. This final extension follows previous deadline shifts from March and April, marking the last opportunity for eligible citizens to apply. State Minister Ahmed Nazim Mohamed emphasized that no further extensions will be granted, stating that the deadline is now strictly expiring. He urged all potential applicants to carefully review the submission guidelines to avoid errors that could disqualify their entries. The ambitious initiative aims to distribute 15,000 land plots across Greater Malé and Rasamalé, in addition to 7,900 flats. The allotment is strategically divided by demographics to address diverse housing needs. Specifically, flat allocations include 4,000 units for Malé residents, 1,500 for residents from other islands living in the capital, and 2,400 for priority categories. Land distribution follows a similar tiered approach: 10,000 plots are reserved for Malé residents and 3,000 for residents from other islands. Additionally, 500 plots are allocated to specific lineal descendants excluded from estate distributions, while 1,500 are set aside for citizens relocating from narrow alleyways or participating in parcel exchanges. The program also allows previous beneficiaries to upgrade to three-bedroom apartments depending on their family size. To ensure maximum accessibility, the ministry recently amended several eligibility criteria. New rules allow individuals to apply even if a spouse holds property, and joint owners may now relinquish shared plots to apply individually. Furthermore, the application window was reopened specifically to accommodate disabled applicants. While the application process nears its end, physical development is already underway. The Bank of Maldives has begun foundational construction in Hulhumalé and Villimalé, and the government has initiated the procurement process to select developers for upcoming affordable housing complexes.