Applications Open for Government Housing scheme: Land Plots and Flats

The Ministry of Housing has announced that applications are now being accepted for land plots and housing flats under the government’s first housing scheme.

According to the ministry, the deadline to apply for flats is 11:59 PM on April 17, while applications for land plots must be submitted by 11:59 PM on March 4.

Eligibility Requirements

Under the current housing policy, Maldivian citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to apply through the government’s Hiyaavehi Portal.

To qualify for flats, applicants must have lived in Malé for at least 15 years and be registered as residents of the capital.

Flat Allocation Details

A total of 7,900 flats will be distributed under the scheme. The allocation is divided as follows:

4,000 flats for registered Malé residents

1,500 flats for individuals from other islands who have lived in Malé for at least 15 years

800 flats reserved for personnel of state institutions such as the Police and MNDF

Remaining units allocated to special groups including single parents, fishermen, tourism workers, and taxi drivers

The ministry will determine whether applicants qualify for two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartments based on assessment criteria.

Land Plot Distribution

The policy also includes the issuance of 15,000 land plots, each measuring 1,250 square feet.

Key allocations include:

10,000 plots for Malé residents

• 7,000 for those registered in Malé since birth
• 1,000 for those on the Malé registry
• 2,000 for those registered later in life

3,000 plots for residents from other islands living in Malé

500 plots for individuals who did not inherit parental property

1,000 plots for owners of unusable narrow-lane land in Malé under exchange programs

Residency Conditions

Applicants from other islands must prove 15 consecutive years of residence in Malé. Certain situations will still count toward residency, including:

Working outside Malé while family remains in the city

Children continuing education in Malé

Spouse living or working in Malé

Temporary absence for education or medical treatment

Short gaps in residence if total stay exceeds 15 years

Key Policy Changes

The government has introduced several important revisions:

Minimum residency requirement after registration reduced from five years to one year

Applicants can now qualify even if their spouse owns property outside the Malé region

The Housing Ministry will decide flat size eligibility

Points will be awarded based on residency duration, income, dependents, and special-needs children

This housing initiative is part of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s broader pledge to address the Maldives’ housing shortage.