Government to Launch Two New Housing Categories Under Housing for All

The government is preparing to introduce two new categories under its flagship Housing for All initiative, with applications expected to open in early March.

The new categories will allow individuals, including those whose spouses already own private dwellings, to apply for land separately. Each category will offer 1,000 plots, aiming to address long-standing family housing challenges and reduce social tensions linked to joint ownership.

The Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, confirmed that regulations, eligibility criteria, and the scoring system for the new categories are being finalised, with the intention of publishing the guidelines before the start of Ramadan.

The minister noted that previous schemes, including the Binveriyaa housing programme under the former government, encouraged joint applications. However, experience showed that shared plots were often underutilised. The new categories are designed to provide separate housing for each family.

Launched on 16 November last year, the Housing for All scheme has already made 15,000 plots and 7,900 flats available in Rasmale’, covering various categories such as allocations for Male’ residents, atoll residents living in the capital, and special category allocations. The current application window for land plots closes on 4 March, while applications for flats remain open until 17 April.