The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has announced its decision to take over the process of awarding 100 social housing units in Thulhaadhoo, Baa Atoll, following legal disputes, protracted delays, and a lack of cooperation from the local island council.
The move comes after a court ruling invalidated amendments made by the Thulhaadhoo Island Council to the allocation criteria and halted the previous allocation process.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the housing units were initially opened for application under rules established by the previous government’s Ministry of Housing. However, the allocation process hit a snag when a court case was filed in the Thulhaadhoo Magistrate's Court. The plaintiff sought to declare invalid an amended criteria for allocating the units, as well as a provisional list published by the Thulhaadhoo Council office on October 9, 2023, which was based on this amended criteria.
The court subsequently ruled that the legitimate and original recommendations of the Ministry of Housing from 2022 should be followed, deeming the council's amended criteria an illegal change. Despite this clear court directive, the housing units remained unallocated to date.
The Ministry emphasised that its policy is to ensure housing is provided to those in need as swiftly as possible. It accused the Thulhaadhoo Island Council of failing to cooperate in resolving the issue quickly, thereby impeding the government's objectives. The Ministry further noted that prolonged delays risk beneficiaries losing their rights and could lead to significant damage to the buildings, incurring expensive repair and maintenance costs before the units can even be handed over.
Consequently, the Ministry has terminated all responsibilities and duties assigned to the Thulhaadhoo Council regarding the determination of beneficiaries for the social housing project. The Ministry will now cancel the permanent list announced by the Thulhaadhoo Island Council on 18 September and will re-evaluate all submitted forms.
This re-evaluation will adhere strictly to the criteria published on 11 May 2022, and directives issued by the then Ministry of Housing, with the allocation process to be conducted among applicants in accordance with rules formulated by the Ministry and published in the Government Gazette.