A post highlighting housing issues Maltese youths are facing has gone viral on Facebook, seeing over 1,200 likes in a few hours.
Posted this morning, a certain Damjan Attard said on Facebook that 25-30 year-olds working full-time earning €1,000 to €1,400 a month in addition to a part-time job, are going to the bank asking for a loan. The bank then gives them €85,000 to €100,000 (if they are lucky), he says.
"That is enough to buy a garage. Not only that, but to worry them even more, the more time passes (30 years plus) you can probably forget taking out a loan. If you are over 35, and are not earning at least €2,500 a month, forget buying a place. You'd better emigrate if you want a house."
"These are the wages of many people who work in education, healthcare, social case and others in Malta. No wonder only a few are interested in joining these sectors. We have ended up without teachers, nurses and carers."
"This is the reality many youths face, and it will become worse in the future. No wonder the number of youths living in a garage, a car or outside has increased. Before, we used to worry about not finding a job and having to go to social services for help for a period of time before getting back on your feet. Now our youths are working, but they have still remained in the same situation. Even more so they would need to go begging for help. What is worse than having to work and still having to beg?"
"The security of having a roof over our head is essential for any society that aims to be the best. Such security means stronger relationships, less mental health, less criminality, and is a right for everyone in this world."
"This is an injustice against the future generations. Sending our youths to beg for social services to buy a home, when they work full-time is not a solution!"
This post was also quoted by PN MP Jason Azzopardi in Parliament, who highlighted this issue as an injustice. PN MP Karl Gouder and PD MP Marlene Farrugia also brought up the issue, stressing on the current situation of low wages and corruption.