The Government will work to identify new housing opportunities to improve the living conditions of residents of the Hiyaa housing scheme, according to the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Abdulla Muththalib.
Speaking at the ceremony marking the completion of the installation of additional lifts in the Hiyaa apartment towers, Minister Muththalib said that many families who were originally allocated two-bedroom Hiyaa flats have since grown in size, with more children, creating a need for larger accommodation.
However, he noted that relocating residents is not a simple matter, as priority for available housing must continue to be given to those who have no housing at all. At the same time, he said the Government is working to resolve the difficulties faced by existing Hiyaa residents and to create opportunities for them to move into more suitable and spacious housing where possible.
"Hiyaa Towers are home to a very large population. It is estimated that around 2,000 people live in each tower. Providing convenience and essential services to these residents is one of the Government's key priorities," the Minister said.
Furthermore, Minister Muththalib acknowledged that establishing services to cater for such a large population has been challenging. He explained that the availability of land in the Hiyaa area is limited because plots originally designated as open spaces have already been allocated, making it difficult to develop additional public services.
Nevertheless, he said that over the past two years the Government has undertaken extensive efforts to improve living conditions in the Hiyaa neighbourhood and remains committed to continuing those improvements.
According to studies conducted by the ministry, Maldives currently lacks a comprehensive long-term national housing plan. The Ministry has also previously revealed that a number of beneficiaries of earlier housing schemes no longer wish to live in the flats they were allocated. It said such issues can only be addressed through housing projects that are tailored to the varying circumstances and needs of different groups of people.
The Hiyaa housing project, completed in 2018, consists of 16 residential towers, each 25 storeys high. Following the change of government in 2018, the handover of the completed flats to rightful beneficiaries was delayed for an extended period. The government at the time repeatedly cited various reasons for not handing over the apartments.
After growing public criticism and numerous complaints, the Hiyaa flats were eventually handed over to beneficiaries two to three years after construction had been completed. However, the manner in which the handover was carried out left many residents deeply disappointed.
Many apartments were handed over before finishing works had been completed. Bedroom doors were missing, while numerous basic fixtures and facilities expected in completed homes had not been installed. In addition, many essential public services required for such a densely populated residential area had not yet been established. Residents of Hiyaa Towers continued to face numerous hardships until the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu introduced measures aimed at addressing their concerns.