The Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace issued a paper on housing matters that focused on the increase in property prices over the past years, and the consequence of this on Maltese families.

The Housing Authority is aware that with the increasing property prices more families are finding it hard to have access to affordable accommodation on the open market. This is why it is constantly updating its schemes and launching new initiatives to better help those that are most in need of assistance.

The Housing Authority recently introduced a new scheme where beneficiaries can purchase property under “Shared Ownership” in which they are given the possibility of purchasing a share of the property at a price they can afford, thus giving them the opportunity to get on the property ladder. Each year the Authority issues a number of units for sale making it possible for young families and others to access home ownership which they would not have been able to do in the era of rising property prices. This initiative proved to be a success and there was a huge public demand. The Authority therefore aims to continue providing affordable accommodation through this initiative.

Another form of assistance is given through the Grant for the Rehabilitation and Completion of the first property. This scheme is very popular with young couples and every year a number of families and others receive assistance to complete their first home.

For a number of families renting is the most affordable tenure option. In order to assist these families the Authority offers a rent subsidy grant. Amendments are carried out to this scheme to ensure that the grant given reflects the increase in rent prices requested in the private sector. This is a very popular scheme and over the years there has been a constant increase in the number of families requesting a rent subsidy grant.

Each year the Housing Authority assists different target groups by helping them to access affordable accommodation. The Authority will continue offering its assistance to vulnerable target groups through its various schemes and initiatives. The Authority is to launch a new initiative shortly that is intended to help first time buyers wishing to purchase their property from the private sector.

Audrey Ellul

Policy & Communications Unit

Housing Authority