Island councils to award social housing points, president says

President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that island councils will have the authority to determine the points system for allocating social housing units.

Speaking in B. Thulhaadhoo on Tuesday, the President said the government is seeking contractors to build 100 additional housing units in the island. The project has opened for applications and is currently at the prequalification stage. Once this stage is completed, price proposals will be opened, contractors will be selected, and work will begin.

“The recipients of the units under this project will be determined by the islanders. The council will propose criteria based on the island’s circumstances, in consultation with residents,” the President said.

Under the policy, councils will send their proposed criteria to the Ministry of Housing for approval. The ministry will endorse them if they comply with existing laws.

“Our policy is that in all islands, housing standards should reflect local conditions,” the President added.

He also assured that the owners of 119 plots of reclaimed land in Thulhaadhoo will retain full ownership, with no portion kept as state land.

During the visit, two agreements for key projects in Thulhaadhoo were signed with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC):