Housing Delivery Accelerated as Government Moves to Clear Backlogs, Minister Says 

Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Abdulla Muththalib said the government has accelerated housing delivery over the past year, focusing on clearing long-standing backlogs and expanding access to affordable homeownership in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s agenda.

In a post shared on LinkedIn, the Minister said he assumed responsibility for the housing portfolio at the start of 2025 amid mounting expectations and urgent challenges, including delays under existing housing schemes. He said the first priority was resolving issues linked to the Gedhoruveriyaa flat list, adding that all signed housing units are now being handed over, with remaining completions expected to conclude this month.

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Muththalib said the Ministry is also addressing inherited issues under the Binveriya Scheme, including land reclamation works, land-use planning and the issuance of land registries. He noted that efforts over the past year focused on reforming systems rather than applying temporary fixes.

According to the Minister, the government introduced a 5 per cent profit-rate home construction loan, with close to MVR 1 billion already approved. He said a national housing policy titled Boahiyavahikan Enmennah (Housing for All) has been formulated to guide long-term housing delivery.

He added that coordination across state institutions has resulted in an inclusive national affordable housing scheme, under which banks now allocate between 10 and 15 per cent of their financing portfolios to provide 5 per cent profit-rate loans for homeownership. Under this framework, Bank of Maldives has inaugurated a project to deliver more than 3,000 housing units in the Greater Malé region.

Dr Muththalib said contracts have been signed to construct over 800 housing units across 13 islands under a contractor-financed model, alongside 25 budget-financed projects comprising more than 4,800 units nationwide. He also confirmed that work is progressing on 4,000 housing units in Gulhifalhu, funded through an India EXIM Bank line of credit, with construction expected to begin in 2026.

The Minister said the government has also developed a developer-financed housing model supported by state guarantees, and launched a new programme, Aailee Boahiyaavikan, aimed at families without any housing. Under the programme, more than 7,900 housing units and 15,000 land plots are to be allocated.

He noted that housing units have already been handed over in HDh. Nolhivaranfaru, M. Kolhufushi and Th. Thimarafushi, while applications have opened to identify beneficiaries for projects underway in GDh. Thinadhoo, Th. Vilufushi and B. Thulhaadhoo.

Dr Muththalib said the past year focused on restoring public trust, accelerating delivery and ensuring housing is treated as a right rather than a privilege, adding that work on the government’s housing agenda remains ongoing.