Free Land Allocation Prompts Talks of Ending Rent Payments for Flats

Photo: The Commoners
In response to the government’s discriminatory policy to give free land from Male’ area to a select few, housing advocacy group, The Commoners, has initiated discussions on the possibility of discontinuing rent payments for social housing units.
ގޯތި މައްސަލަ އާއި ގުޅިގެން ހިޔާ ފްލެޓުވެރިންނާއެކު ބާއްވާ ފުރަތަމަ ސައްލާ H4 ގެ ފަރާތްތަކާއެކު މިއަދު ވަނީ ބާއްވާފަ pic.twitter.com/9sUOeZ2i57
— The Commoners (@commonersmv) June 30, 2023
To facilitate this initiative, the government recently procured 17 plots of land in Hulhumale’ from Urbanco at a cost of MVR 866 million. Notably, individuals who receive these land allocations will be exempt from making any payments to the government or Urbanco.
Given the high cost of land in Hulhumale’ and the Male’ area, it is argued that continuing to pay rent for flats becomes incongruous when land is being freely distributed. The association involved in these discussions intends to make a formal announcement about ceasing rent payments for shelter flats following consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
This move marks a significant development in addressing housing issues and represents a potential shift in the way social housing is managed in the region. As the talks progress, the implications and feasibility of ending rent payments for flats will undoubtedly be thoroughly examined and debated.