The Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib has pledged decisive government action to address widespread issues surrounding social housing projects, including the non-payment of rent and the unauthorised subletting of allocated flats.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, on the government's housing policies, Minister Dr Muththalib highlighted that these practices are undermining the core purpose of these vital initiatives.
Social housing projects, often funded by significant government loans, are designed to provide essential shelter to those most in need. However, the Minister emphasised that the regular non-payment of rent by beneficiaries severely impacts the state's ability to secure further loans for housing development, thus hindering provisions for numerous deserving families.
"The implication of not getting rent from those places is actually preventing the state's access to further loans for more housing projects. How many people's rights are being violated as a result," he questioned, stressing the far-reaching consequences of such non-compliance.
Additionally, the Minister alluded to reports of social housing units, including those designated as residential flats, being repurposed as labour quarters and rented out at inflated prices, with some transactions reportedly reaching USD 1,300 to USD 1,600. This practice directly contradicts the intended allocation for individuals and families in genuine housing need.
To combat these transgressions, the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure will collaborate with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation to identify and investigate individuals involved in the unauthorised subletting of these properties, he revealed adding that the legal ramifications are also under review.
The Minister urged all recipients of social housing flats to adhere to their payment obligations, emphasising its importance for the sustainability of social housing programme and the provision of future housing opportunities.
The HDC has echoed these sentiments, announcing that strict action will be taken against any party found to be violating their agreements by renting out allocated flats. The corporation also confirmed its role in the upcoming rental of 4,000 housing units under the ‘Gedhoruveriyaa Scheme’ developed by FDC in Hulhumale’, reiterating that the social housing scheme's objective is to provide affordable housing for the homeless.
The government is also scrutinising past allocations with a review of the Gedhoruveriyaa recipient list, compiled by the previous administration, is underway.
Minister Dr Muththalib expressed concern over the practice of repeatedly allocating flats to the same families, noting that the current system, under existing housing laws, makes it difficult to remove their names from waiting lists, even if they have received flats under previous schemes.
He revealed that 976 couples who received flats under prior programmes are included in the current 4,000-unit Gedhoruveriyaa project. While acknowledging the social injustice of such repeated allocations, the Minister stated that there is currently no legal framework to prevent couples from receiving separate allocations. However, he maintained that government schemes should prioritise the most deserving individuals.