At a Cabinet sitting on Tuesday, government decided housing policies under ‘Veshi Fahi Malé’ programme. According to the policies, three categories of people will be eligible for adequate housing under government’s housing programme. They include Malé citizens living in inadequate housing; Malé residents born in Malé who have no permanent residence in Malé; and, people registered under Malé Municipality prior to 30 June 2010. 

Under phase 1 of the ‘Veshi Fahi Malé’ programme, a total of 1,000 parties in the first category will be able to apply for housing schemes. The housing schemes include 500 housing units in Malé, 250 housing units in Hulhumalé, and 250 housing plots in Hulhumalé. 

Under the second category, 450 parties will be able to apply for housing, including 150 housing units in Malé and 300 units in Hulhumalé, while 300 parties in the third category will be able to apply for 100 housing units to be developed in Malé and 200 units to be developed in Hulhumalé. 

‘Veshi Fahi Malé’ Programme initiated by Malé Municipality last month, aims to combine the development of Malé, Vilingili, Guli Falhu, Thilafushi, Hulhumalé and Malé International Airport. The programme’s goal is to provide adequate housing for least advantaged Malé families and support decongestion of Malé. 

Under government’s pledge to provide 10,000 housing units within five years, 3,000 units will be developed in Malé. 1,000 housing units are already under construction, while development of the remaining 2,000 will begin in 2011.