Social Policy Minister John Dalli yesterday announced the issue of 152 houses for sale at a subsidised price in various localities in Malta and Gozo. The subsidy is of 20 per cent on the commercial price, he said, and as that price amounts to e16,256,700, the subsidy is of e3,251,340.

The government is committed to build houses which would be rented out to young couples who do not have the means to buy a house, even though the price is subsidised, Mr Dalli said. The scheme launched yesterday complements the scheme launched just days ago, and this was proof of the government’s commitment to help people who needed help.

The houses put on sale yesterday are in various localities, including Birkirkara, Kirkop, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mgarr, Mriehel, Mtarfa, Naxxar, Pembroke, Qawra, Tarxien, Zebbug, Zejtun, Zurrieq and Xewkija.

Housing Authority chairman Charles Borg said the authority’s aim is to provide more affordable housing and to make social housing more accessible to a wide group of those in need. The majority of houses are reserved to families with children, and to engaged couples. In each category the authority would be allocating up to 10 per cent of the houses to applicants who are physically or mentally disabled, or to those who have a family member living with them who is disabled.

The issue is made up of 101 three-bedroom houses, 42 with two bedrooms and nine with one. The average subsidised price of a three-bedroom house is e91,786, of a two-bedroom house e77,095, and of a one-bedroom house e55,218. They would also be in a finished or semi-finished state.

They are environmentally friendly, with insulation on the roof, double glazing, louvres and a water well in each block. There is also room for solar water heaters.

Application forms and plans will be on sale at the Housing Authority at 22, Pietro Floriana Street, Floriana, or 25, Neriku Mizzi Street, Victoria, between 1-19 December from 8am to noon. Applications will be accepted between 5-16 January.

Details will also be available on the authority’s website www.housingauthority.com.mt.