The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has begun accepting applications for 200 newly built three-bedroom terraced houses, commonly referred to as row houses, in Thinadhoo City, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The housing project is part of a national effort to expand residential access in underserved regions. Applications will remain open until 7 November.
Submissions must be made through the housing ministry’s ‘Hiyaavehi Portal’ at hiyaavehi.housing.gov.mv, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry clarified that the application window officially opened on 7 September and will close on 7 November. Alongside the launch, the ministry released detailed guidelines outlining eligibility requirements and the allocation process.
Applicants must meet a series of conditions to qualify. Only Maldivian citizens aged 18 or older are eligible, and they must either currently reside in Thinadhoo or have lived continuously on the island for at least ten years.
The guidelines also disqualify individuals who have purchased, or agreed to purchase, a property measuring 600 square feet or more within a single building. Those who have previously received housing under any government programme on another island are similarly excluded. Additional stipulations are outlined in the ministry’s published criteria.
To determine eligibility, a point-based scoring system will be employed, as outlined by the ministry, with evaluations conducted either by the ministry itself or by a designated authority or committee. Points will be awarded based on factors such as family size and current living conditions.
Priority consideration will be given to individuals with disabilities, those requiring special assistance, and persons in need of social protection, the ministry said. Additional weight will be given to those legally or judicially responsible for the care of others, including elderly parents.
Construction of the row houses began in 2022, with each unit comprising three bedrooms. This marks the second time applications have been invited. A previous announcement, issued in January by the Thinadhoo City Council, was later withdrawn after it was revealed that the council had not secured the necessary authorisation from the ministry.