The General Workers’ Union (GWU) welcomes and supports the Affordable Housing Initiative launched by the Government of Malta and the Archdiocese of Malta. This scheme, spearheaded by the Foundation for Affordable Housing, represents a much-needed social measure that will provide families and individuals on modest and low incomes with dignified access to housing at fair and affordable prices.
For too long, many Maltese workers and their families have found themselves caught in the so-called “stretched class”: earning just above the threshold for social housing, yet unable to access the property market. This initiative addresses that gap by offering homes at up to 30% below market value, built on a model that prioritises the common good over profit.
The GWU has always maintained that housing is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Secure and affordable homes are essential for family stability, worker well-being, and social justice. We therefore commend the collaborative effort between the Government and the Archdiocese, which shows that when institutions work together in the national interest, tangible solutions can be delivered for the most vulnerable citizens in our society.
This initiative will not only provide relief for families struggling to find a decent home but also strengthen the principle of solidarity, which underpins both trade unionism and our national social fabric. The GWU will continue to support such measures that protect vulnerable households and advance the rights and dignity of workers and their families.
