Ministry Takes Over Thulhaadhoo Housing Allocation After Legal Delays
Ministry takes over allocation of 100 social housing units in Thulhaadhoo after delays and disputes | Photo: MV+
The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has taken control of the allocation process for 100 social housing units in Thulhaadhoo, Baa Atoll, following legal disputes, lengthy delays, and what it described as a lack of cooperation from the island council.
The decision follows a court ruling that invalidated amendments made by the Thulhaadhoo Island Council to the allocation criteria and halted the previous selection process. The housing units were initially opened for applications under rules set by the former Ministry of Housing, but the process was interrupted when a case was filed at the Thulhaadhoo Magistrate’s Court. The plaintiff challenged the amended criteria and a provisional list issued by the council on 9 October 2023, arguing that both were based on unlawful changes.
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The court determined that the original recommendations issued by the Ministry of Housing in 2022 should be upheld and declared the council’s amended criteria an illegal alteration. Despite this directive, the allocation of the units had not progressed until now.
The Ministry stated that its priority is to deliver housing to eligible beneficiaries as efficiently as possible. It asserted that the Thulhaadhoo Island Council had not cooperated in resolving the matter, which it said had hindered the government’s objectives. It also warned that continued delays could jeopardise the rights of beneficiaries and risk deterioration of the buildings, increasing repair and maintenance costs before handover.
As a result, the Ministry has revoked all responsibilities previously assigned to the Thulhaadhoo Council in determining beneficiaries. It will annul the permanent list released by the council on 18 September and will conduct a full re-evaluation of all submitted applications.
The reassessment will follow the criteria issued on 11 May 2022 and directives from the former Ministry of Housing. The Ministry confirmed that the allocation process will proceed according to rules published in the Government Gazette.
