There were around 550 new allocations of social housing during 2024, Social Accommodation Minister Roderick Galdes said on Monday during a press conference in Valletta, as he spoke about the Housing Authority’s annual study and the work carried out in social accommodation.

Galdes said that the number of allocations augurs well so that the waiting list continues being addressed in line with Malta Vision 2050. According to the annual study, the waiting list as of 2024 stands at around 1,500 people.

He said that the nonstop work in social accommodation has resulted in tangible differences that leave an effect in the daily lives of many families, as he remarked that he looks back on the work done with satisfaction.

Speaking on the matter of the waiting list, Galdes said that the list has been reduced by nearly half from 2018 to 2024, and added that this was made possible with new buildings, the strength of schemes, as well as the extensive work done on debilitated property.

The minister stated that there is presently ongoing work on new accommodation, including in the localities of Siggiewi, Qrendi, Mellieha, Cospicua, as well as Hal Farrug. He continued that this work forms part of the country's biggest social accommodation project, which will include around 260 apartments as well as 300 parking spaces with an investment of €40 million.

He commented that when one analyses the Housing Authority’s schemes, they would understand the impact being left in the daily lives of people. He remarked that “the numbers speak for themselves,” as he added that over 12,000 families have benefited from the authority’s schemes in 2024.

Galdes spoke of initiatives such as social accommodation projects, regeneration projects, installation of lifts, rent assistance schemes, and purchasing power schemes. He commented that thousands of families have become homeowners as a result of the continuous investment enacted by the government. He added that as a result of the investments enacted since 2017, the government has assisted around one family every two days in becoming homeowners. In addition, he said that two families every day have received financial assistance through various social accommodation schemes.

Galdes spoke of legislative changes which have resulted in an increase in the number of registered contracts, with there being over 66,000 active contracts in 2024.

The minister remarked that when looking at where social accommodation has progressed today, he feels satisfied that the government made the decisions which were needed so that the sector would be regulated with strong legislation, in addition to strengthening the Housing Authority as a regulator.

Galdes concluded by acknowledging the work of those in the sector, including the Housing Authority, as well as the Office of the Permanent Secretary, who Galdes said the Ministry for Social Accommodation works hand in hand with to work in favour of active policies which see to the needs of the Maltese and Gozitan people.

Matthew Zerafa, the CEO of the Housing Authority, detailed the annual study of the authority. He remarked that what was enacted in the previous year was “the beginning of a courageous change and a vision for a more just and efficient system.”

Zerafa said that in 2024, over 5,700 families received rent subsidies. He added that over 4,900 families benefited from first-time-buyer schemes since 2023.

In terms of expenditure, Zerafa stated that the Housing Authority’s total expenditure rose to €77.6 million in 2024.

The Housing Authority CEO spoke of how the various schemes offered by the authority are intended to address the needs of any age group, ranging from first-time-buyer and deposit schemes which are mainly utilised by individuals under the age of 30, to equity sharing schemes with serve mostly those aged 40 to 49, as well as disability and adaptation schemes which are mostly used by those aged over 60.

He said that around 540 families benefited from regenerations, and added that over 1,000 technical inspections were carried out. He also said that 50 units were constructed by the Housing Authority.

In terms of compliance and enforcement, Zerafa stated that over 1,300 routine inspections were carried out, and 203 social housing units were retrieved.

Zerafa concluded by speaking about the Housing Authority’s “renewed emphasis” on outreach programmes. He said that over 87,000 customer care calls were handled, as well as over 81,000 emails and over 25,000 walk-ins.