The Housing Estate in Rabat has been revitalised through an investment of €740,000, which has resulted in the improvement of the facades, roof maintenance and works in the common parts of 16 blocks. This project will improve the quality of life of more than 130 families living in these blocks. A project that, in Minister for Social Accommodation Roderick Galdes’ words, is not only improving the quality of life of the people who live in these blocks, but also of those who live in this area.
“For too long, social housing has been synonymous with neglect. As the Maltese say, the first thing that strikes is the eye and, therefore, a derelict building not only reflects badly on the families living in it, but also leads to negative effects on people living in the same area. We have also installed new lifts in these blocks for better accessibility.”
He added that every family, regardless of its social and economic background, deserves a decent quality living environment.
“Social housing tenants, like any other person in Malta, have every right to live and spend their lives in aesthetically pleasing spaces. This should not be a privilege for the few to enjoy, and no matter what our social and economic background, we deserve a decent life.”
Minister Roderick Galdes concluded by saying that these long-awaited projects are not a superficial exercise, but an exercise that is tangibly making a difference in the lives of these families.
“The regeneration of housing estates is not a superficial exercise. People I meet every day appreciate the work that we are doing and emphasize on the difference this project is making in their daily lives.”
The numbers speak for themselves, as during 2020, 500 families living in 46 blocks of social housing across Malta and Gozo will benefit from an investment of €2.6 million in the regeneration of these housing estates, an investment that follows previous investments such as the one that reached €4 million in 2019.
The Mayor of Rabat Sandro Craus expressed his satisfaction that, after 30 years, these social housing blocks have been given the attention they deserve.
“We are satisfied, as a council, that we are here today to launch this long-awaited project. These are buildings that have been waiting such an investment for over 30 years and have been in a very bad state. The work that is being done is much appreciated by the residents and also by us as a council, because we are now seeing an improvement in the environment of this area. The work done on the roofs, in the common areas and now on the facades shows the commitment of this government to improve the lives of the residents.”
He concluded by thanking the Ministry of Social Accommodation, the Housing Authority and the Housing Maintenance & Embellishment Ltd for the interest shown in the proposals put forward by the council and for the relentless work so that these buildings give a new life and dignity to those who live in them.
