Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has extended the deadline for applications for the Binveriyaa and Gedhoruveriyaa housing schemes opened for residents from Male' City.
The planning ministry had initially allocated from June 26 to September 26 as the period to submit applications for government housing schemes. However, the deadline has now been extended until October 15. The ministry revealed the extension was given due to the changes made to the criteria easing restrictions for eligible applicants.
The planning ministry eased the restrictions to allow applicants to be designated as residents of Male’ if one of their parents are residents, even if the applicant had been legally required to register elsewhere. However, the new criteria still require applicants to be currently registered in Male’. The change was implemented after the public expressed concern over the government issuing land plots only for residents of Male’ while ignoring individuals who had resided in the capital city for years.
The planning ministry began accepting applications through the Gedhoruverin portal. The ministry plans to give out 4,000 housing units under the Gedhoruveriyaa housing scheme and 5,000 land plots under the Binveriyaa scheme, which includes 1,000 land plots from Hulhumale', 2,000 land plots from Gulhifalhu, and 2,000 land plots from Giraavaru.
The two housing schemes are part of the government’s pledge to resolve the housing difficulties faced by residents of Male’. Eligibility criteria for the land plots include being a resident of Male’, being over the age of 18 who does not own land, or being willing to release a land plot in the Greater Male’ Region smaller than 600sqft. Applicants must also not have received any housing units under a previous social housing scheme.
As per the planning ministry, over 19,400 applications have been received for the scheme so far.