PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION: Ongoing work in the social and affordable accommodation sector has made a tangible difference in the daily lives of many families

Around one family every two days becomes a homeowner, and two families every day receive financial assistance to improve the quality of their home

Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation, Roderick Galdes, addressed a press conference regarding the latest studies published by the Housing Authority, as well as the Authority's 2024 annual report. Minister Galdes explained how the ongoing work in the social and affordable accommodation sector has made a tangible difference in the daily lives of many families.

During 2024, a record number of social accommodation allocations were made, with the Housing Authority's annual report showing around 550 new allocations. Minister Galdes emphasized that “all of this continues to pave the way for further addressing the waiting list, in line with Malta Vision 2050. From 2017 to 2024, the national waiting list has been reduced by almost half. This was made possible through the construction of new accommodation buildings, the 'Nikru biex Nassistu' scheme, and extensive work on dilapidated properties, including abandoned ones which are now being reused for social purposes."

The minister also noted the work that is currently underway on the new social accommodation projects, including those in Siġġiewi, Qrendi, Mellieħa, Bormla, and Ħal Farruġ. The latter being the largest social accommodation project in the country.

Minister Galdes stated that when one analyses the schemes provided by the Housing Authority, one can understand the impact these schemes are having on the daily lives of the citizens. He explained that over 12,300 families benefited from Housing Authority schemes during 2024.

“With an investment exceeding €70 million, we are assisting more beneficiaries, and we are also emphasising on quality," stated the minister. He mentioned that this is being reflected in state-of-the-art social accommodation projects, regeneration projects in old social housing areas around Malta, installation of new elevators, schemes supporting private residential rentals, and schemes that strengthen the purchasing power of the citizens.

The minister referred to the latest official statistics, showing that 85% of Maltese citizens are homeowners. “Through the investment made since 2017, we have helped around one family every two days to become a homeowner with the Deposit Guarantee, Equity Sharing, Social Loan, New Hope, and Sir Sid Darek schemes," the minister further explained. Whilst two families every day received financial assistance to improve their home through the Authority's schemes.

The minister also mentioned the role of the Housing Authority as the regulator of private residential rentals. Following the changes to the Private Residential Rent Law, which made the registration of rental contracts mandatory, in 2024, 55,718 new contracts were registered with the Authority. By the end of 2024, there were over 66,000 active contracts registered.

CEO of the Housing Authority, Matthew Zerafa, stated, “The transformation we are implementing at the Housing Authority is delivering the desired results. We must continue making an impact through more solutions and community projects, digital transformation, and constant efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Authority's operations."

Photos (MSAA)