Housing Ministry Announces Policy for Allocation of Flats in Thulhaadhoo

The Housing Ministry has formulated a policy to allocate 100 housing units in Baa Atoll’s Thulhaadhoo, following prolonged delays caused by administrative and legal issues.

The policy, announced on Wednesday, stipulates that eligible applicants must have resided in Thulhaadhoo for at least ten years and must not own land exceeding 600 square feet anywhere in the Maldives. Individuals who own land of that size must agree to relinquish it in accordance with the policy. Applicants’ total monthly income must not exceed MVR 60,000.

advertisement

Applications for the housing units can be submitted through the Hiyaavehi Portal. The policy awards points based on family size and living conditions. Applicants without children due to a medical condition affecting either spouse must provide a certificate from a registered medical practitioner to be considered under the relevant criteria.

The three-bedroom units were constructed by the previous government and completed in 2022, after which they were handed over to the Thulhaadhoo Council. The council had initially formulated a policy and identified recipients for the flats.

However, the allocation process was halted after a case was filed at the Thulhaadhoo Magistrate’s Court challenging the provisional recipient list published by the council on 9 October 2023, which was based on an amended policy. The court ruled that the Housing Ministry’s recommendation and the policy published on 11 May 2022 should be followed, stating that the amended allocation rules were contrary to regulations.

Despite the ruling, the flats remained unallocated due to various issues, prompting the Housing Ministry to assume responsibility for the allocation process last month.

The housing project was awarded in July 2019 to Precision Engineering Services under a contract valued at MVR 79.6 million. Each unit comprises three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, storeroom and laundry area.