Muthalib: Policy shouldn’t be shaped by speculating intention of certain people

Minister of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, on Friday night, addressed allegations suggesting that individuals might resort to divorce to qualify for housing units, as current regulations disqualify applicants if their spouse already owns property in the Male' area.

In his presidential address, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the decision to establish a dedicated category for land applications, ensuring that individuals remain eligible to apply even if their spouse currently owns a housing unit or property. This initiative aims to broaden housing accessibility for all citizens.

The President further announced that a new category will also be introduced to allow people who received land under the previous administration’s ‘Binveriya’ scheme through joint-applications who agree to relinquish their claim to the plot and apply for a separate land plot.

Explaining the policy rationale in a LinkedIn post, the Minister said the government’s housing programmes are structured as long-term solutions to the country’s persistent housing shortage. He clarified that allowing individuals to apply for housing regardless of a spouse’s property ownership was designed to support long-term housing security for married couples, and not to weaken prioritization for families without shelter.

Addressing the issue of joint land ownership, Muththalib noted that shared plots frequently result in legal disputes and social challenges. Differences in financial capacity, marital breakdowns, and personal disagreements often prevent development, leading the government to view individual land allocations as a more practical and sustainable approach.

Responding to concerns that some may manipulate eligibility requirements through divorce, the Minister stressed that housing policy cannot be shaped around assumptions about personal intentions. He said marriage and divorce are serious personal matters that should not be influenced by administrative rules or housing applications.

Reiterating the objectives of the family housing programme, the Minister said priority continues to be given to households without property or housing units, while also acknowledging changing social circumstances. He emphasized that opportunities must be distributed carefully, taking into account limited resources and differing levels of need.

He further noted that suspicions of potential misuse should not disadvantage genuine applicants or drive policy decisions, adding that housing policies must be grounded in present realities and verifiable conditions rather than speculative scenarios.

The housing crisis remains a major challenge in the Male' are, where a large proportion of residents rely on high-cost rental housing. Studies have shown that the housing crisis has been linked to multiple other social issues, such as low birth rates and rising aging population.