Minister for Social and Affordable Housing Roderick Galdes addressed a conference on the future of the social and affordable housing sector in our country. This conference was organised by the Housing Authority with the aim of bringing together the social partners of the sector and providing a platform on which to discuss what has been achieved in this sector, what is being done, as well as the way forward.
Minister Galdes outlined a number of initiatives that form an integral part of Vision Malta 2050; the national plan for sustainable growth in our country. The minister stated that Vision Malta 2050 is an ambitious and comprehensive strategy that has as its main principle, protecting the quality of life of our people. In this context, the social and affordable housing sector is one of the pillars of our society, with concrete measures and clear targets.
One of the main goals is that of more social housing projects. During 2024, 514 new units were allocated in various localities such as Msida, Siġġiewi, Bormla, Qrendi, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Ħal Luqa and Ħal Kirkop. Currently, work is underway on other projects in Siġġiewi, Qrendi, Mellieħa, Bormla, as well as in Ħal Farruġ on the largest social housing project in the country, which will include around 267 apartments and 300 parking spaces, with an investment of around €40 million.
The minister added that through these initiatives, the government aims to reduce the waiting list for social housing by between 15% and 20% by 2035. All this can be done through a proactive policy that protects the needs of the Maltese and Gozitan people not only the current ones, but also the future ones. From 2018 to 2024, the national waiting list was reduced by almost half. This could have been possible with continuous work in the sector, as well as through substantial investment.
Minister Galdes stated that through an investment of more than €52 million, between 2017 and 2023, 1,391 families were helped to become homeowners. Around a family every two days became homeowners through the Deposit Guarantee, Equity Sharing, Social Loan, New Hope and Sir Sid Darek schemes.
The minister explained how in 2024, through an investment of approximately €18 million, more than 5,700 families benefited from the rent subsidy, as well as from the rent subsidy for pre-1995 leases.
The minister also highlighted the progress made on the rental market, where by the end of 2024 more than 66,000 rental contracts had been registered under the new 2020 law.
“Platforms such as this conference are important so that together we can discuss the sector and continue to design proactive policies that continue to make a difference in the lives of Maltese and Gozitan families”, concluded Minister Galdes.
The Chief Executive of the Housing Authority, Matthew Zerafa, thanked all those present and reiterated that the future of housing in Malta can continue to be shaped through dialogue between all partners in the sector.
The conference was also addressed by Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General of Housing Europe, who gave a comparative look at social and affordable housing in various European countries.
