Govt. to compile wait list for social housing

Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed told the Parliament’s Petitions Committee on Monday that he has decided to compile a wait list to ascertain housing for those most in need of housing through the government’s social housing projects.

At the committee meeting, Inguraidhoo MP Hassan Mohamed noted the concern from general public over how all administrations run social housing projects.

He questioned Haidar regarding the current administration’s policy to address this concern.

Haidar responded that all administrations run housing projects in accordance with set policies.

He said the current administration’s housing policy is to provide people with a good environment to live and to populate such places.

Haidar said that instead of changing laws and selecting people for housing based on a list, it is important to identify the people who are most in need of housing and providing them with housing.

“Then, there would be no need to compete a project, make a portal, and have people apply through the portal,” he said.

He said that instead of allocating points, the current administration will compile a wait list, which will be updated based on changes in living situation.

“This is this administration’s plan. We will share details as the plan develops,” he said.

The list of recipients of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme has been plagued by allegations of corruption, with some calling for the list to be cancelled.

Haidar previously said the list received some 7,000 complaints.