Muththalib says new projects differ from existing housing schemes

Housing Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib said on Friday that the two housing projects announced by President Mohamed Muizzu in his presidential address on Thursday are separate from existing housing schemes.

Speaking after the President’s address at the opening sitting of Parliament this year, Minister Muththalib said the newly announced projects differ from the Family Housing Programme, which was introduced to address housing needs.

In his address, President Muizzu said individuals would be eligible to apply for housing even if their spouse owns a house or land. He also said the Binveriya housing scheme, launched in 2022, would be opened to a separate category allowing joint landowners to receive individual plots if all parties agree to vacate the land together.

In a post on LinkedIn on Friday, Minister Muththalib said the two projects announced by the President are distinct initiatives. He said the decision to allow an individual to apply for a plot instead of a housing unit, even where a spouse already owns property, was aimed at expanding land ownership and long-term security.

The minister said individuals who acquired land under joint ownership arrangements would also be allowed to apply for individual plots if all parties consent to vacating the jointly held land.

He said disputes over jointly owned land have led to legal and social issues, including disagreements linked to financial differences, changes in family arrangements, inheritance matters and marital disputes. He said access to individual plots would help reduce such conflicts.

Minister Muththalib also referred to concerns raised about the Family Housing Programme, including disputes following the dissolution of marriages and claims of temporary separation to qualify for housing. He said public housing policy cannot be based on assumptions about personal intent.

He said the Family Housing Programme continues to prioritise households with the most urgent housing needs and is guided by the use of limited state resources.

The minister said the programme gives priority to families without land or housing of their own, and that the policy does not exclude families due to changes in marital status. He said the approach is based on equity and the allocation of limited resources.

Minister Muththalib said housing policies remain subject to review and adjustment to reflect changes in social conditions, while maintaining respect for human dignity.