Gov’t Issues Ineligibility Notices for Gedhoruveriya Flats

The Ministry of Housing has begun issuing written notices to individuals deemed ineligible for the 4,000 flats allocated under the Gedhoruveriya housing scheme in Hulhumalé.

The flats, currently under construction by two Indian contractors, are part of a housing programme initiated by the previous administration. A list of beneficiaries had been finalised prior to the change in government.

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Following the presidential transition, the new administration led by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu initiated a review of the list. A designated committee assessed applications and published a revised list in February identifying 1,820 eligible recipients.

However, the government has since announced a decision to revert to the original list compiled by the former administration. This decision includes the condition that individuals failing to meet the eligibility criteria will be removed from the list.

According to the Housing Ministry, ineligible applicants fall into three categories: those who have previously received housing under a government scheme, those who have obtained housing through state-owned enterprises, and those who own private residences larger than 600 square feet.

Housing Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said that around 700 individuals are expected to be excluded from the original list. The Ministry has assured that all affected individuals will be given the opportunity to appeal. Flats vacated as a result of this process will be reassigned once appeals are concluded.

The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s policy of allocating a single housing unit per family. He highlighted several instances where this policy had not been upheld. These include 391 couples who were allocated two flats—of which only one will now be retained—as well as 305 cases in which flat recipients’ spouses also received land under a separate government land scheme. Additionally, 302 individuals who already own housing in Malé were also listed for new flats.

The state housing company, Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation, has confirmed that 3,778 individuals listed by the previous administration have already signed agreements to receive flats.