The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has reaffirmed its commitment to providing housing solutions to all 4,000 applicants of the Gedhoruveriyaa social housing scheme within the tenure of the current administration.
This assurance was made in a statement issued by the ministry in response to public allegations following the ministry's review of the recipients' list for the Gedhoruveriyaa scheme. The ministry also opened the opportunity for grievances to be submitted regarding the revised recipients' list.
Initiated by the previous administration, the Gedhoruveriyaa social housing scheme came under scrutiny when the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleged technicalities and disparities in the recipients' list. The ACC also instructed the government to address these issues before handing over deeds to the housing units.
In compliance with the ACC's order, the housing ministry conducted a review of the recipients' list, which led to the completion and publication of the updated and revised list. In response to opposition allegations that the current administration altered the recipients' list, the ministry clarified that no individuals outside of those on the original list, compiled by the previous administration, were added to the revised list.
The ministry also announced that grievances can now be submitted regarding any mistakes made in the verification of documents and application forms. After the grievance deadline, the ministry has said it will adhere to the guidelines established by the Gedhoruveriyaa committee of the previous administration in verifying applications for the remaining housing units.
Recipients who score the highest points in the criteria will be awarded the remaining housing units, according to the ministry. However, these recipients will not be permitted to revise the information they initially provided or submit any new documents, it added.
The ministry also assured that individuals disqualified from the initial 4,000 recipients' list would not face additional difficulties in applying for future housing schemes. Underscoring President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's housing policy and pledge, the ministry also reiterated that all Maldivian residents in need of housing would be provided with housing options before the end of President Dr Muizzu's current tenure.
Housing remains a pressing issue for residential communities in the Maldives, and addressing it is a key electoral pledge of President Dr Muizzu. The administration has allocated the highest percentage of this year's budget to housing projects as part of its efforts. President Dr Muizzu has pledged that by the end of his current five-year tenure, no Maldivian citizen in need of housing will be without housing options.