Thousands of prospective homeowners have just hours left to submit applications under the government’s ambitious “Housing for All” (Boahiyaavahikan Enmenah) programme, with authorities confirming that the deadline will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development announced that the application window, which has already been extended multiple times, will close permanently after the latest deadline.
State Minister Ahmed Nazim Mohamed stressed that no further extensions will be granted, urging applicants to carefully review their submissions and ensure all required information is correctly entered before the deadline passes.
“The deadline is strictly expiring,” Nazim said, calling on eligible individuals not to wait until the last minute to complete the process.
The Housing for All initiative is one of the largest housing programmes launched in the Maldives, aiming to address longstanding housing challenges, particularly in the Greater Malé Region where demand for affordable housing continues to outpace supply.
Under the programme, the government plans to allocate 15,000 residential land plots in Greater Malé and Ras Malé, in addition to 7,900 housing units in the capital region.
According to the allocation framework, 4,000 apartments have been designated for residents of Malé, while another 1,500 units are reserved for individuals from other islands currently residing in the capital. A further 2,400 apartments have been allocated to priority groups.
Land distribution plans include 10,000 plots for Malé residents and 3,000 plots for residents from other islands. An additional 500 plots have been earmarked for individuals who were previously excluded from estate allocations, while 1,500 plots are reserved for those relocating from narrow residential lanes or exchanging existing properties.
The government has also introduced provisions allowing some previous housing beneficiaries to qualify for larger three-bedroom apartments based on household size and family requirements.
Since applications opened in January, the ministry has revised several eligibility requirements in an effort to broaden access to the programme.
Among the changes introduced were provisions allowing individuals to apply even if their spouse owns property. Joint property owners were also given the opportunity to surrender shared ownership and submit individual applications. The government additionally reopened eligibility avenues for persons with disabilities following amendments to the guidelines.
The application period was originally scheduled to close in March for land plots and April for housing units. However, authorities extended both deadlines multiple times to allow more applicants to complete the process.
Meanwhile, the administration has continued work on the broader housing programme. The Bank of Maldives has already commenced foundational construction work in Hulhumalé and Villimalé, while the government is also seeking developers for affordable housing projects planned under the initiative.
Housing remains one of the most significant social and economic issues facing the Maldives, particularly in the Greater Malé area. Successive governments have introduced large-scale housing schemes to address shortages, but demand continues to rise due to population growth and urban migration.
With the latest deadline approaching, officials have reiterated that this is the final opportunity for eligible applicants to secure a place in one of the country’s most extensive housing programmes.
