The government is set to officially roll out its landmark "Housing for All" scheme on Thursday, opening applications for 15,000 land plots and 7,900 flats in the Greater Male' region.
The criteria for land and housing distribution were made public following amendments by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who addressed concerns during several public consultation meeting held late last year.
Originally set to open for applications on 4 January, the date was pushed to 15 January to accommodate revisions. Key changes include allowing recipients of one- and two-bedroom flats under past schemes to apply for three-bedroom units, provided they meet conditions based on family size.
Of the 7,900 flats, 4,000 are reserved for Male’ residents, 1,500 for islanders, and 2,400 for priority groups—now expanded to 15 subcategories, including taxi drivers, tourism and fisheries workers, and individuals previously denied housing despite eligibility. Similarly, land distribution prioritises 10,000 plots for Male’ residents, 3,000 for other islanders living in Male’, and 500 for persons with disabilities.
Applicants must apply exclusively online via the government Housing Portal using e-Faas credentials. Eligibility hinges on proof of 15 years' residency in Male’ (until 14 January 2026), with exceptions requiring documented justification. Priority will be determined by income, living conditions, and family status.
The application window runs until 14 April, with the government urging applicants to carefully select the most fitting category to optimise their chances. Detailed scoring criteria and rules are published in the official government gazette.
This initiative marks a significant step in alleviating the nation’s housing crisis under President Muizzu’s pledge for equitable housing access.