Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the presidential candidate of the People's National Congress (PNC), has pledged to provide housing to individuals who were removed from the list of eligible applicants for the Hiyaa housing scheme in 2018. He made the remark after unveiling his manifesto at a campaign event in Hulhumale'.
Speaking at the event, Muizzu detailed the policies in his manifesto and said that his most important policies are related to housing and urbanisation, which are closely related to many social issues. As such, he vowed to commence a 20-year plan to build 65,000 homes to ensure that no citizen is left without housing.
Additionally, Muizzu said he would not remove any individual from the list of eligible applicants for the various housing schemes of the current administration and would initiate a special scheme to financially assist landowners to build homes. He also noted that thousands of people were removed from the list of eligible applicants for the Hiyaa housing scheme by the government in 2018. He assured that he would guarantee them housing from the housing projects commenced by his administration. He also said that the lists formulated by his administration would have special categories for newlyweds and people with special needs.
Furthermore, Muizzu pledged to reclaim 1,280 hectares in Fushidhiggaru Falhu and allocate 11,000 land plots and 26,000 apartments from the area, which would be connected via a bridge and the high-speed ferry service. In addition, Muizzu promised to demolish the Sinamale' flats in Male' City, the Male' Hiyaa flats, and the Sinamale' flats in Villimale' to build new apartment buildings. His manifesto also includes a policy to extend the maximum height of buildings in Villimale' to 10 storeys. It further includes a plan to vacate unused land plots in Male' to build 2,000 housing units and commence housing projects in the atolls.
Moreover, Muizzu committed to transferring the jurisdiction of Hulhumale' from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to the Male' City Council. He emphasised that Hulhumale' is a part of Male' and should not be under corporate governance. He argued that the Male' City Council is better suited to manage and oversee the land allocation and developmental projects in Hulhumale'.
Moreover, Muizzu said he would make the iHavan project in Ihavandhippolhu a reality and establish an administrative hub in the northern and southern regions. He added that he would establish urban centres in seven regions of the country.