The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has announced that applications for the government’s historic housing programme in Malé will open on 4 January 2026, launching the first phase of President Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to provide housing for every eligible citizen above 18. The application period will remain open until 3 March 2026 and will be processed through an online portal.
The Housing for All policy, inaugurated last night, allocates 15,000 land plots and 7,500 flats across the Malé region, with developments extending to Ras Malé. Housing Minister Dr Abdullah Muttalib stated that priority will be given to families who do not currently own any housing, affirming the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups.
Eligibility categories for land applicants
The Ministry confirmed two categories for land distribution:
Category 1: Residents of Malé
- Individuals registered in Malé since birth
- Individuals listed in the official Malé residents registry
- Individuals later registered to a Malé household
- Minimum five years of residency in Malé
Category 2: Citizens from other islands living in Malé
- Individuals who have lived in Malé continuously for fifteen years
Basic regulations for applicants
To qualify, all land applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a Maldivian citizen
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must not own land or a portion of land larger than 400 square feet
- If owning a portion smaller than 400 square feet, must agree to surrender it under government terms
- If land was inherited or received as a gift, must agree to relinquish it under government terms
- If a joint owner, must agree to transfer their share to the remaining co owners
- Must not have sold, gifted, or relinquished any property within the past five years
- Must not have purchased a condominium unit
- Must not have received land in Hulhumalé under the Veshifahi Malé compensation scheme
Point system for evaluating applications
The Ministry highlighted that the point based assessment is designed to accurately verify family circumstances. Points will be awarded in four main areas:
1. Length of residency in Malé
More years of verified residence will secure higher points.
2. Property ownership status
Families without any housing or property receive the highest consideration.
3. Age
Older applicants receive additional points.
4. Family circumstances
Points are granted based on the number of children. Applicants who cannot have children due to verified medical conditions also receive points.
The Ministry emphasised that this structure ensures fairness, transparency, and accurate verification of all submissions.
With applications set to open in January, the policy signals a transformative moment for thousands of families seeking long awaited housing security in the Greater Malé region.
