President Mohamed Muizzu has announced a policy change that will allow individuals receiving state-provided housing to transfer certain privately owned land plots to family members, instead of surrendering them to the government.
Speaking at press conference held today, the President said the new policy will apply to land plots smaller than 400 square feet, which under existing regulations were required to be handed over to the State when individuals qualified for government housing schemes.
Under the revised approach, eligible landowners will be permitted to transfer ownership of these smaller plots to close family members, including spouses, children, or siblings. The President added that the policy will be formally published in the near future.
The change also extends to individuals who had previously surrendered their land under earlier housing schemes. According to the President, arrangements will be made to allow those recipients — particularly those who benefited from recent flat allocations — to reclaim and transfer those plots into the name of a family member.
Officials say the move is intended to provide greater flexibility for families and ensure that privately owned land remains within households rather than being absorbed by the State.
However, the President clarified that the requirement to surrender land will still apply in cases where an individual already has a housing unit registered in their name through a social housing programme, maintaining safeguards within the system.
The announcement marks a shift in housing policy, as the government continues efforts to balance land management with the needs of families benefiting from state housing initiatives.
