Housing Authority chairman Marisa Micallef has been made a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing following her significant contribution to housing in Malta.

Commenting on this achievement, Ms Micallef said: “I am obviously delighted that 10 years working in Malta has been recognised in this way. The housing affordable landscape has changed completely since I have been chairing the Housing Authority, and today we offer a range of services and schemes which are innovative and most importantly, people-centred. Our ownership schemes have been pioneering and successful, our repair grants have improved thousands of homes, hundreds more have been made accessible and we are also the first to produce green housing stock.

“I am very grateful to all my staff, directors and managers, my board and all the NGOs and politicians who cooperate so much with us for all their input, hard work and belief in us over the years. Without that sort of teamwork this recognition by the institute would not have been possible.”

The aim of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is to “Maximise the contribution that housing professionals make to the well being of communities.” The CIH has over 20,000 members; these members are based in five continents and over 20 countries. They work in all types of organisations including local authorities, housing associations, universities, colleges and in the private sector.

The main objectives of the CIH are to improve individual and organisational performance, to shape the policy agenda, to be an inclusive professional body, and to become market leaders in the products and services they provide. The CIH policy work is hugely varied. They shape government agendas, and support the practical implementation of new housing policies.