Incumbent President and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, said that all eligible applicants for the Gedhoruveriya scheme, which was announced on Tuesday, August 8, will receive their flats within the next five years.
The Gedhoruveriya scheme received more than 20,000 applications, with 14,400 individuals applying for three-bedroom apartments and 6,200 individuals applying for two-bedroom apartments. The government has chosen to allocate flats to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
President Solih assured that all 13,000 eligible applications will secure housing within the next five years. He made this pledge during his campaign visit to Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Nadella.
"God willing, we will ensure social housing for each and every eligible individual within the next five years," President Solih said.
State Minister of Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and the chair of the flat committee, Akram Kamaluddin said that a combined total of 15,000 applicants, which includes joint applications, meet the eligibility criteria for the housing flats.
The minister also said that among the applicants, married couples who submitted individual applications have been considered eligible. Akram clarified that, following the procedure, one of the spouses from the qualified couples must give up their flat. This practice has consistently been in effect in the past.
As part of the scheme, the government is presently engaged in the construction of 8,000 social housing flats in Hulhumalé. The state has contracted JMC and NBCC for 2,000 housing units each, totaling to 4,000 units. The project, with a value of USD 227 million, is being funded by India's EXIM Bank with a sovereign guarantee from the Maldives government. The loans were issued individually, with USD 116.45 million allocated for the initial 4,000 units and USD 110.5 million for the subsequent batch.
Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) entered into an agreement with India's Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL) on Thursday last week for the completion of the remaining 4,000 units in Hulhumalé. The estimated cost for the project is USD 162 million.