Housing is a fundamental human right, not a luxury. Yet for thousands of families and individuals in Malta, paying rent has become one of the greatest financial burdens they face. Although the Rent Benefit Scheme has provided important assistance, the reality is that the rental market has moved much faster than the support available.

The government introduced a valuable scheme aimed at ensuring that eligible households do not spend more than 25% of their income on rent, subject to specific eligibility criteria and maximum rent thresholds. It was a positive reform and an important step in the right direction. However, we must now ask an important question: do these limits still reflect the realities of Malta's rental market in 2026?

Anyone following the housing market knows that rental prices have risen significantly over recent years. In many localities, a modest apartment now commands a monthly rent that would have been considered excessive only a few years ago. As a result, many families are paying substantially more than the original scheme was designed to accommodate.

According to the latest figures published by Malta's National Statistics Office, nearly one in four people consider housing costs to be a major financial burden. Among those at risk of poverty or social exclusion, the proportion is even higher.

This is not simply a matter of statistics. It is a matter of dignity.  When families are forced to spend a large share of their income on rent, the money left must cover food, utility bills, medicines, transport, children's education and every other essential expense. Under these circumstances, many are unable to save, unable to plan for home ownership and forced to live with constant financial anxiety.

It is time to rethink how rent assistance is designed.  Rather than relying on limits that quickly become outdated, Malta should adopt a more dynamic system that is reviewed regularly and adjusted to reflect real market conditions. If rents continue to increase while assistance remains unchanged, households will inevitably lose purchasing power year after year.

The principle that no family should be forced to spend an unreasonable proportion of its income simply to keep a roof over its head should remain at the heart of our housing policy. When housing costs exceed a reasonable share of household income, public policy has a responsibility to step in and protect those most at risk.

I would also like to see an automatic annual review of the maximum eligible rent levels, linked to movements in the rental market. This would ensure that assistance keeps pace with economic reality rather than falling behind and requiring major reforms every few years.

The upcoming Budget presents an important opportunity for the Government to demonstrate that it is listening to the concerns of people who rent. This is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of social justice.

I therefore call on the government to:  review the maximum rent limits under the Rent Benefit Scheme to reflect today's rental market; introduce an automatic annual adjustment mechanism based on market conditions; strengthen support for low- and middle-income households;  and continue investing in affordable housing to reduce pressure on the private rental market.

Families who rent are not asking for special treatment. They are simply asking for a policy that remains relevant to today's realities.

A country that genuinely believes in social justice cannot accept a situation where people work full-time yet still struggle to afford decent housing. Secure and affordable housing is the foundation of social stability. When families have the security of an affordable home, they are better able to raise their children, participate in their communities, contribute to the economy and plan confidently for the future.

I sincerely hope that the next Budget places renters at the centre of its social policy agenda-not through broad promises, but through concrete measures that reflect the real challenges faced every day by thousands of Maltese and Gozitan families. Because social justice begins with something very simple: ensuring that every person has access to a home they can truly afford.

Ivan Bartolo MP is Shadow Minister for Social Policy, Family and Social Housing