Hulhumale flat handover begins; 1-month complaint window
A total of 4,939 forms were checked, with 1,820 people from the previous list being deemed eligible.
The process of handing over 4,000 flats in Hulhumale has begun, with the final list of eligible recipients being released on Thursday.
Housing Minister Dr Abdulla Muthhalib made the announcement in a press conference, where he provided updates on the verification process and outlined the procedure for submitting complaints.
According to the Housing Ministry, the final list was determined after an evaluation of applications received under the previous government's housing scheme. A total of 4,939 forms were checked, with 1,820 people from the previous list being deemed eligible. The updated verification revealed that:
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Out of 3,721 applicants for three-room flats, 1,423 people qualified with a score above 75 points.
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Out of 1,218 applicants for two-room flats, 397 people qualified with a score above 73 points.
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A total of 2,695 applications were declared ineligible.
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424 people were removed from the list due to changes in their scores.
The minister noted that 36% of those who qualified saw changes in their point allocation during the verification process.
As the flat handover begins, those who have been removed from the list or have concerns about the selection process will have one month to file complaints. Complaints can be submitted through an online portal, while members of the public who wish to raise concerns about a recipient’s eligibility must do so via email, rather than by letter.
“We are providing a fair window for people to challenge the decisions made during the verification process. Any concerns will be reviewed thoroughly,” Muthhalib assured.
One of the key issues affecting eligibility was related to proving 15 years of residence in Male. The minister emphasised that verifying long-term residence is a critical requirement. Many applicants faced changes in their scores due to problems with submitted documents.
“Proof of residence in Male since 2007 is a fundamental criterion. Many applicants submitted letters stating that they had lived in a specific house for 15 years, but in many cases, these letters were not sufficient evidence,” said Muthhalib.
Following complaints received after the previous government’s provisional list, the ministry later accepted additional documents to establish proof of residence. However, some applications still lacked the necessary verification.
Muthhalib confirmed that 1,820 flats will be awarded to the recipients currently on the final list. The remaining flats will be allocated after a further evaluation of the remaining applications, a process expected to take around four months.
“The remaining forms will be verified, and points will be awarded accordingly. However, no flats will be given to individuals who were previously included in the list announced on November 15, 2023,” he clarified.
The minister reiterated that any complaints received during the designated period will be reviewed, but once the final decision is made, the flats will be distributed to the confirmed recipients.
