Gov’t Working on New Housing Options for Hiyaa Residents, Minister Says

The government is working to create additional housing opportunities for residents of the Hiyaa Towers whose housing needs have changed since moving into the flats, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Construction Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said.

Speaking at the inauguration of new lifts installed in the Hiyaa Towers yesterday evening, Muththalib said many families who initially moved into two-bedroom apartments have since grown, but currently have limited opportunities to relocate to larger homes.

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He said the government recognises the challenges faced by these residents and is exploring sustainable solutions to improve their quality of life, although no specific measures are ready to be announced.

Muththalib noted that the most recent government housing scheme attracted more than 50,000 applications, meaning priority must first be given to applicants who have not yet received housing. However, he said future government policies should also provide alternative housing pathways for existing homeowners whose circumstances have changed.

The minister said each of the 16 Hiyaa towers contains more than 400 apartments and is home to nearly 2,000 people, comparable to the population of some of the Maldives’ larger inhabited islands. Ensuring convenient living conditions for residents therefore remains a government priority, he said.

Muththalib thanked President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for fulfilling his presidential pledge to install additional lifts in the Hiyaa Towers.

He also reflected on the early stages of the Hiyaa housing project, saying many apartments were handed over without interior finishing works, forcing beneficiaries to complete the work themselves, often by taking out loans.

According to the minister, residents also moved into the area before key public services were in place. At the time, children attended schools in Hulhumalé Phase 1 or Malé, while recreational spaces and mosques had yet to be developed.

He said the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has since worked to improve facilities in the area and continues to develop further solutions for residents.

During the ceremony, Muththalib also said that the government plans to allow essential services to operate on privately owned residential plots in Hulhumalé Phases 2 and 3.

He said more than 2,000 residential plots have been allocated to Malé residents in the two phases, and the government intends to introduce policies allowing private investors to establish services such as healthcare and other community facilities on those lands, similar to arrangements already permitted in Malé.

According to the minister, the move is intended to improve access to services, create new business opportunities and support economic activity in Hulhumalé.