An amendment to the Housing Bill was proposed on Saturday, aiming to enforce greater transparency in government-run social housing schemes. 
The amendment seeks to make it mandatory to disclose comprehensive details of applicants, including how points are awarded.
Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), MDP MP from Galolhu North Constituency, moved the amendment. Kudu's proposal specifically calls for the public disclosure of applicant lists for social housing programs, encompassing names, permanent addresses, eligibility status, and the breakdown of points received.
The current Housing Bill, introduced by PNC MP Asma Rasheed (Maafannu Central constituency) on April 22, mandates the creation of a housing needs registry. While it states that information of designated persons should be made public, it also emphasizes doing so without revealing personal information.
The bill, currently in its committee stage, has drawn significant concern from the opposition. On May 20, The Democrats issued a statement criticizing the bill for not adequately addressing long-term needs and interests in an equitable and sustainable manner. They argued that the bill fails to protect the rights of beneficiaries or uphold the decentralization act.
The Democrats highlighted several other issues with the bill:
It prohibits local bodies, such as councils, from commissioning housing projects.
It allows the ministry to commission and implement housing projects at its discretion.
It is seen as imposing a standard of poor-quality housing.
It lacks social mobility avenues for people to transition to other housing schemes as their living standards change.
It does not include a system, like council housing, to provide temporary housing until situations improve.
It does not require a judicial process if property is repossessed from social housing recipients.
It prohibits the lease of property even after full payment and ownership.
It does not require the disclosure of housing scheme registries.
Additionally, The Democrats have raised concerns regarding the lack of specific details within the social housing program and the repeated, undefined use of the term "adequate" in the bill.
Kudu's proposed amendment comes amid broader concerns that the government has not made public the list of beneficiaries for the 4,000 flats currently being handed over to the FDC.