Housing demand in the Maldives has come into sharp focus, with nearly 37,000 applications — including draft submissions — recorded for the government’s first housing programme under the current administration, according to Housing Minister Abdulla Muththalib.
Speaking at a press briefing at the President’s Office, the minister said 20,000 applications have already been completed, while a further 17,000 remain in draft form as the deadline for submissions approaches at the end of this month.
Demand Highlights Scale of Crisis
Minister Muththalib said the figures underscore the severity of the housing shortage, noting that eligibility for the scheme is limited to couples where neither spouse owns land or housing.
He said the high level of interest, despite these restrictions, reflects the extent of unmet demand across the country.
Past Efforts and Ongoing Projects
Providing context, the minister outlined housing initiatives undertaken by successive administrations since 2008. These included 1,500 units developed during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s tenure, as well as more than 10,000 flats delivered under former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration — a period he described as the most productive in terms of housing output.
He added that 4,000 housing units initiated by the previous government have also been completed under the current administration.
New Developments Underway
The minister said physical construction has already begun on 3,260 housing units in the Greater Malé region. Additional projects currently in the pipeline include:
- 540 units financed by the Bank of Maldives
- 500 units to be developed through interest-free financing
- 400 units backed by the Saudi Fund
- 4,000 units planned in Gulhifalhu under an Indian Line of Credit
While acknowledging that some projects are progressing slower than anticipated, the minister stressed that all have secured funding.
Alternative Models Explored
He noted that financial constraints, including high state debt levels at the time the administration took office, have required the government to adopt alternative financing approaches to sustain housing development.
As part of these efforts, proposals from local companies have been submitted for a scheme offering land and incentives to construct housing units to be sold at controlled prices. The proposal, covering around 2,000 units, is currently under review by the Economic Council, with discussions also underway for an additional 1,000 units.
Deadline Approaches
With the application window closing at the end of the month, authorities expect further submissions in the coming days.
Officials say the overwhelming response to the scheme highlights the urgent need for scalable housing solutions, as the government continues to pursue multiple projects aimed at addressing one of the country’s most pressing social challenges.
