Three-month application window opens for 100 flats developed in Thulhaadhoo

Housing Ministry, on Sunday, has opened applications for 100 flats developed by the last MDP administration in B. Thulhaadhoo despite warnings from the main opposition party that the applications are being opened in an attempt to influence the outcome of the upcoming local council elections.

According to an announcement by the Housing Ministry on Sunday, 100 flats developed in Thulhaadhoo are being issued under ‘Housing for All’ policy launched by the government back in November.

Applications for the flats can be submitted via the Ministry’s ‘Hiyaavahi’ portal. The deadline for applications has been set for April 11^th. The local council election has been scheduled for April 4^th.

To qualify for the flats, applicants must either be registered residents of Thulhaadhoo or individuals who have migrated to the island and lived there continuously for at least 10 years.

The government’s decision to open applications for the flats developed in Thulhaadhoo has been criticized by MDP which has dubbed as a deceitful plot to influence the outcome of the local council elections.

Notably, the Housing Ministry recently revoked the permanent list prepared by the Thulhaadhoo Council for the allocation of the flats.  

In a statement on January 3^rd, MDP said the disbursement of the flats had been suspended under a court order and argued that reopening applications without the participation of the island council violates the Constitution, the Decentralization Act, and the principles of local governance.

The party called on the Thulhaadhoo Council to take all necessary steps to prevent what it described as an unlawful move.

The disagreement over the housing units has persisted for over a year. In September of last year, residents staged a protest at the council office over delays in the allocation process, which resulted in a temporary halt to council operations. After the protests, the council released a permanent list of recipients.

However, the Housing Ministry announced last month that the list—compiled by the MDP-majority Thulhaadhoo Council—has been revoked, citing legal and procedural shortcomings.