Parliament passes decision to guarantee new flats under separate scheme for Hiya flat recipients

Parliament of the Maldives has passed the decision to guarantee new flats for recipients of flats under Hiya housing project, if they wish to forego the flats they have received.

The decision to submit the proposal on new flats for Hiya flat recipients was included in the report prepared by the Parliamentary Committee on National Development and Heritage. The report was passed with votes from 33 parliamentarians present at the sitting on March 31.

The report stated Hiya flat recipients should be guaranteed new flats under a separate social housing scheme if they decide to forego the flats they have received. Such individuals are to be provided flats in a suitable category allocated under a new social housing scheme launched by the government in the future.

Further, the report also highlighted concerns on the failure to resolve all housing issues caused by the 2004 Tsunami, despite 16 years having passed since the disaster. The report included a proposal to request the government to ensure the matter is fully resolved latest by 2023.

The report also included proposals to identify all housing needs across the Maldives by 2023, and to establish a mechanism where housing projects undertaken by the government can be completed without delays. The report stated a new system also needs to be established to register people in need of housing in the Greater Male’ Region, noting the register currently in place is outdated.