Last Wednesday in Parliament, I spoke at length about Budget 2027 and the portfolio which is under my political responsibility - Accommodation and Lands.
Budget 2027, themed "Malta Miegħek," ensures that economic progress is felt in people's everyday lives. At a time of international tension and economic uncertainty, the government must provide stability and practical support. This is precisely what the Labour government is doing in Malta. Not so in other European countries, where millions have taken to the streets of Milan, Paris, Madrid, and Berlin to protest austerity measures, youth unemployment, inflation, and high education and healthcare costs. Here, it's different. Not because we are lucky, but because we have the best combination: a resilient workforce and a competent government.
Dignity
In Parliament, I focused on my portfolio: accommodation and public lands. They are closely connected: a home means security, dignity, and independence, while public land is a national resource that must be managed transparently for present and future generations.
Individual needs
A young couple buying their first home, a family struggling with rent, a middle-aged person rebuilding her life, a marriage breakdown, an elderly citizen wishing to remain independent, and a person with a disability may all need different forms of support. A good and effective housing policy must recognize these needs and respond fairly. This is what we are doing: matching the right support to each household's needs and circumstances.
Accessibility
The Housing Authority is central to all this. Now in its 50th year, the Housing Authority manages more than 8,000 social housing units, administers support schemes, and regulates the private residential rental market. In 2025, more than 15,000 families benefited from its schemes. In the first nine months of 2026 alone, assistance reached almost 20,000 individuals and families through rental support, home-ownership initiatives, grants for first-time buyers and help to adapt homes for accessibility. The schemes aimed at addressing needs and circumstances are many. The Housing Benefit Scheme helps eligible households meet private rental costs, while assistance is also available to certain tenants in properties covered by pre-1995 rent regulations.
The Deposit Guarantee Scheme helps those seeking to purchase their first home, and it does so through an interest-free loan. The Equity Sharing Scheme can reduce the amount a buyer needs to finance. New Hope supports eligible applicants who may struggle to obtain the life insurance required for a home loan because of a past medical condition. Through Sir Sid Darek, tenants in social housing can also purchase the home in which they live.
First-Time
The First-Time Buyers Grant provides €1,000 annually over ten years, while the Grant for First Residence helps with finishing and construction costs. Accessibility assistance can fund practical adaptations such as stairlifts and accessible bathrooms. For individuals with reduced mobility, these interventions can make the difference between dependence and safe independence. The First-Time Buyers Grant has been increased to €20,000 for people with a disability. The eligibility framework has also been extended to address circumstances, including certain homes received by donation after 2022 for which a loan is subsequently taken to build or finish, and qualifying buyers whose new property will be their sole and primary residence. This can be especially helpful to people who are separated and need to establish a new home.
A Charter
Buying a home is undoubtedly one of the biggest financial decisions a person makes. The Buyers Charter is intended to set out clear principles, standards, rights and responsibilities for residential property transactions, strengthening transparency and the position of consumers. It builds on the First-Time Buyers Guide, but its scope will extend to all residential buyers, regardless of age or life stage. Consultation with families and sector stakeholders will help make it practical.
Social Housing
Our housing policy is not only about schemes and incentives as generous as they are to help people enter the housing market. It is also about increasing the supply of social housing and caring properly for the homes already provided. Through Housing Project Solution and Malita investments plc, various projects are underway in various localities in Malta. Together, they are expected to add more apartments to the social housing stock, representing a total investment of €84 million. Work is also progressing to restore and convert disused government buildings into social apartments because these are sustainable solutions, using existing resources.
Our priority is to maintain momentum, monitor projects and turn public investment into completed homes.
Gzira, and beyond
We are also investing in the proper upkeep of existing housing blocks. Throughout this year, works were carried out across 73 blocks and 554 apartments in 11 localities, with an investment of €4.6 million. Improvements included façade works, roof maintenance and better communal areas. Further works are planned next year on more than 40 blocks, benefiting at least another 474 apartments. These projects improve residents' safety, comfort and pride in their communities. Recently, I visited renovation works currently underway on four residential blocks in Gżira, along Triq il-Gżira and Triq ix-Xatt. This project covers a total of 10 entrances and 55 apartments, with an estimated investment of €421,066. The works include the restoration and upgrading of the buildings' façades, roofs and common areas. The façade works began in early July 2026 and are expected to be completed by the end of December 2026. Meanwhile, works on the roofs and common areas began in the third week of August and are expected to be completed by the second week of December 2026. This is yet another investment in communities that deserve a better living environment.
Affordable Housing
The Foundation for Affordable Housing, established in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Malta, is working on additional options to provide more solutions for the question of affordability. We are set to provide, during this legislature, at least 300 residences in various localities at prices at least 30 per cent below market value. On this point, there is national agreement that this is a road we have to embark on - the issue and the debate centres around how to do that. On this point, we have consulted extensively and did a lot of work: will provide more details in the coming weeks.
The Foundation also has a scheme called LoanUp, developed with APS Bank, and is designed to help eligible people obtain a larger loan by reducing interest during the first seven years.
The Foundation is also investing in co-living to combat a very serious social challenge - solitude - while at the same time studying long-term rental models with the private sector.
Lands
The management of public land is also part of our ministerial portfolio. State land belongs to the community and must be administered with a long-term perspective. This year, the Lands Authority continued implementing schemes and processes, including Temp25+, which helps eligible people redeem temporary residential emphyteutical concessions and move towards full ownership. More than 500 applications were received, with over half processed according to the reported figures. Every decision must serve the public interest.
Incidentally in Parliament I took the opportunity to reflect about the work which we did in order to obtain Manoel Island and Fort Tigne back and give it to the people. It was a sterling job which was done in a sterling way - and I am very proud of the people within the Lands Authority who made it happen.
'Miegħek'
This is what "Malta Miegħek" is all about: a government that stands with the people throughout their life and is ready to help on every occasion. That is the responsibility I intend to keep working towards, with the resources granted to me in the last budget.