Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Dolores Cristina, together with the chairman of the Housing Authority Marisa Micallef, announced yesterday the sale of 331 units being sold on a Shared Ownership basis.

These units consist of 276 apartments and 55 maisonettes in Birkirkara, Burmarrad, Kirkop, Luqa, Marsascala, Mellieha, Mgarr, Mriehel, Mtarfa, Paola, Pembroke, Qawra, Qrendi, San Lawrenz, Zebbug, Zejtun and Zurrieq,

Under this initiative, applicants are given the opportunity to purchase a share of the property they can afford, according to the loan they can borrow from the bank. Eventually, applicants can take another loan to purchase the rest of the property. Applicants are given the possibility to purchase the other share of the property within 10 years at the same price.

In this issue, the Housing Authority is extending its categories. Units are being reserved for families with children, engaged couples, single people (including those leaving institutionalized care and separated applicants that have children living with them on certain days of the week). In this issue premises are now being reserved for two adults applying together. The first 10 per cent of properties will be allocated to applicants with a disability.

Further changes concern the points system. An additional 100 points are being given to the victims of domestic violence in all the different categories.

Policy changes have also been established with regard to the age of the applicants. The age of separated applicants that qualify for assistance has been lowered to 21.

Plans of the housing units for sale and relevant application forms can be purchased today, Saturday and Sunday and on 24 and 25 November between 9am and 4pm at the Housing Authority, 22 Pietro Floriani Street, Floriana.

Closing date is 11 December.