President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced Tuesday evening that residents who previously received one-bedroom flats under government housing schemes will now be eligible to apply again.  
Until now, rules barred anyone who already owned a flat through a government scheme from reapplying. This had drawn concern from families who find one-bedroom units inadequate for their needs.  
Muizzu said the matter had been discussed in detail and a decision was taken to amend the rules. Under the change, those with one-bedroom flats can submit applications for the “Housing for All” scheme launched on November 16. The scheme allows applicants to exchange their existing flats for larger three-bedroom units.  
“Those who have received a one-bedroom flat in government housing can also apply. If you get selected, it has changed so that you can shift or move,” President Muizzu said.  
The President noted that many families in Male' are forced to live in cramped conditions, with multiple members sharing a single room.  
Construction Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib speaks after inaugurating the government’s flagship “Housing for All” policy on November 16, 2025. (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)
The Housing for All policy, launched last month by Construction Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib, aims to provide housing for families without homes. Under the initiative, 7,500 flats and 15,000 plots of land will be allocated across income groups.  
Housing remains one of the most pressing issues in Male', where families spend large portions of their income on rent. Past housing programs have faced allegations of unfair distribution and corruption, underscoring the need for transparent allocation in the new scheme.