With reference to Simon Oostermann’s letter entitled “People and Cars” (TMIS, 26 September), the Housing Authority would like to make the following clarifications. The proposed development comprises Phase IV of the Msida Urban Renewal, which was started some 15 years ago. The phases completed to date are the blocks situated between Valley Road and Conception Street. The new development is intended to provide affordable accommodation for a number of low-income families, single parents, elderly people and vulnerable groups.

The Housing Authority allocates social housing apartments using certain criteria, one of which is means testing. All housing units provided by the Housing Authority are allocated at very heavily subsidised rents or subsidised sale. The majority of beneficiaries, who are eligible for allocation of units at subsided rents, cannot afford to either rent or purchase a garage. In many cases they do not even own a car. Experience has shown us that, notwithstanding the fact that we live in the 21st century, as Mr Oosterman pointed out, the majority of beneficiaries who apply for the Housing Authority’s social housing blocks do not require a garage, with the resultant surplus of vacant garages. In blocks or rented apartments that the Housing Authority tries time and again to allocate through a public tendering procedure, it is also important to note that, notwithstanding garage doors being installed, vacant garages result in illegal occupation and used for illicit activities, such as drug use.

In fact, most non-residential premises provided in the first and second phases of the Msida Urban Renewal Project have been allocated to NGOs and similar entities at a fraction of the commercial rent.

On a technical level, excavating below ground level in Msida is not a possibility because of the sea level. The only sustainable option would be to build garages on the ground floor, thus reducing the number of apartments being built. With the approval of Mepa, the Housing Authority has opted for housing people with social needs rather than for vacant garages.

For further information, the general public is invited to call our Customer Care service.

Albert Buttigieg

CEO

Housing Authority