President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that 15,000 housing units will be constructed in the Greater Male’ Region during his current term in order to address the housing issues faced by Male’ residents.
Speaking at a virtual campaign meeting held with main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s candidates competing for Male’ City seats in the upcoming local council election, President Solih said the government’s analysis shows there are over 17,000 families in need of housing in Male’ city. Although he had initially pledged to construct 10,000 housing units during his term, the number has now been increased to 15,000, said the president.
In this regard, while work is already in progress for the construction of 1,000 housing units, an agreement has been reached with India’s MBCC to construct further 2,000 housing units, said the president. An additional agreement will be signed on Monday for the construction of a further 2,000 housing units, said President Solih.
The president also noted that the construction of 180 housing units, which has been contracted to local companies, will begin in April. While the government is preparing to sign with China’s Sino Hydro Company to construct 1,700 housing units, China’s CMC Company is already in the process of constructing 1,344 housing units, he added.
The president further noted that the construction of 850 housing units will be handed over to Sri Lanka’s Jet Holdings, and state-owned companies will construct 33 additional housing units. Discussions are ongoing to handover the construction of 4,000 housing units to two Indian companies, the president revealed. An agreement is expected to be reached before the end of the year, said President Solih.
Noting that Hulhumale’s master developer, builder and regulator, Housing Development Corporation, HDC will be constructing 115 housing units, the tender for the project will be announced very soon, said the president. When all projects are implemented, construction of 13,000 housing units will be in progress, and the construction of the remaining 2,000 housing units will kick off before his five year term ends, he added.
Out of the 15,000 housing units, 3,100 housing units will be allocated as council housing, with a controlled rent of MVR 6,000 per month. 3,000 housing units will be built under the Affordable Housing program, and its rent will be between MVR 7,000 to 13,000. While 5,500 mid-range units will be constructed, the rent of these units will be between MVR 13,000 and 25,000 said the president. A further 3100 housing units will be developed as high-end flats, said the president. All housing units will be spacious, he added.
