Minister for Social Accommodation Roderick Galdes said that, by the end of this year, around 581 families which sought help from the Housing Authority will have been allocated a home through the ‘Nikru biex Nassistu’ scheme.

Through this scheme, vacant houses are being used for social purposes. So far, 330 families now have a roof over their heads due to this scheme, which will rise to 773 families by 2022 and 884 families by 2023.

Minister Galdes explained how the social policy that is being developed seeks to create value from this social contribution. “The hundreds of homes we have given so far, and will continue giving, are the value we are creating from unused and vacant homes,” said Minister Roderick Galdes.

This scheme was instrumental in reducing the number of people in need of alternative housing, from 3,288 in 2017, to 1,900, prior to the allocation of new social accommodation starting later this year.

Minister Roderick Galdes explained how the government has regulated the rental sector to make it secure and stable, while wanting to lead by example. This scheme proposes an alternative investment model for owners while providing accommodation to residents.

“The success of the initiative shows that there is confidence in the system that the government is offering, but it also shows that our country is endowed with individuals who want to contribute with their wealth if given the right opportunities,” said Minister Galdes.

The Housing Authority’s CEO Leonid McKay spoke at the press conference, explaining how the scheme has attracted hundreds of homeowners. The ‘Nikru biex Nassistu’ scheme has considerably strengthened the resources in the hands of the Housing Authority by discarding much of the risk from the owners. This is particularly so as it is the Housing Authority that bears the responsibility for maintenance, commits to return the property in the state it was originally obtained, and ensures an appropriate rent payment in advance.

‘Nikru biex Nassistu’ is just one of a series of solutions and wide range of services offered by the Housing Authority, which helps in providing adequate housing alternatives for those facing different challenges, said McKay.