Committee: Previous requirement denied flats to those most in need

The committee established to review government’s housing projects said on Monday that a previous requirement for eligibility for housing under the Hiyaa Housing Project denied housing to those most in need.

The committee released tentative lists of tenants for four categories of housing units under the Hiyaa Housing Project earlier this Monday. In a press conference to provide information regarding additional work by the committee, committee member Ali Suhail Mohamed said one of the basic requirements set for eligibility for housing units under all categories was that applicants receive a monthly income of more than MVR 7,000.

“Our assessments indicate the reason for this requirement to be to determine whether potential tenants will be able to afford the flats,” he said.

Suhail said that the requirement denies the opportunity for those who need social housing the most.

“Those who earn an income of less than MVR 7,000 are rendered ineligible. But the people who earn less than MVR 7,000 need social housing more than the people who earn more than MVR 7,000,” he said.

Suhail send that the committee, following discussions with the President’s Office, has made the decision not to take the requirement into consideration.

He said that the decision means applicants who earn a monthly income of less than MVR 7,000 will also be eligible for the housing units.