President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced on Tuesday that social housing units will be granted to those who do not have means for an income, until they can secure a job.
Speaking at a campaign event of an MDP candidate, President Solih said housing is the biggest issue faced by the residents of capital Male', and the delay in finding a solution for the housing issues has forced the people living in Male' to spend all their income on rent.
Reprimanding his predecessor, President Solih said the previous government had spent a large amount of money in the name of providing a solution to housing issues, however, the flats built under the project are not suitable for living in.
The President explained that three room apartments were built on a 500sq ft space, with each bedroom having a size of 8x9ft. The previous government had set the rent of these units as MVR 8000 per month.
Speaking further, President Solih assured that 3 room apartments will be built over a space of 950 sq ft during his presidency, and will be leased for a monthly rent of MVR 6000. The flats will be awarded under three categories, he announced.
The first category is designated for people with no means of income, to whom the flats will be leased at no cost until they can secure employment. The second option is for people who cannot pay the designated rent amount with their income, for whom the government would provide a 'subsidy' in paying the rent. The third category is designed for people who wish to purchase flats, for whom liberal loan schemes will be made available.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih speaking at a campaign event - Photo: MDP
