Government housing schemes receive 58,505 applications

A total of 58,505 forms have been submitted for the three housing schemes launched by the government to address the national housing shortage.

According to statistics released Tuesday by the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development, a large number of people have applied for flats and land under the Aailaa Boahiyaavahikan and Goathigedhoru programmes.

Breakdown of applications:

• Aailaa Boahiyaavahikan: A total of 45,644 applications were received; 35,818 for flats and 9,826 for land.

• Goathigedhoru Scheme: A total of 12,861 applications were received; 12,749 for land and 112 for flats.

The President has declared housing as the government’s highest national priority.

However, the government budget allocated very limited funding for housing projects at the end of last year and so far this year.