In what appears to be a politically charged manipulation of the Gedhoruveriyaa (homeowners) Scheme, the government has cancelled the flat of an individual who had already signed a formal agreement, taken out a loan, and paid for furniture and air conditioning as stipulated in the agreement.

Despite earlier assurances by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration that the flat recipient list gazetted by the previous government would be respected, numerous individuals have since been removed from the list. Many have received official notifications informing them that they are no longer eligible for flats, often under the pretext of failing to prove 15 years of residency in the capital, Malé City.

One individual, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that he was awarded a flat through the official draw with a score of 75 points, a score which previously qualified recipients under the scheme. He signed a lengthy, formal contract issued by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC), including sections covering payments for air conditioning and furniture. These payments were made using a loan. However, upon recently checking the government housing portal, he discovered his eligibility had been revoked without prior notice.

The current administration has conducted a new draw, claiming that some individuals who scored 76 points under the previous government were unfairly excluded. As a result, 585 three-bedroom flats were put into a fresh allocation process, with 338 individuals who scored 76 points now receiving flats.

However, sources indicate that these 585 flats were not newly available units. Rather, they were taken from individuals who had previously secured flats with 75 points, some of whom had already signed agreements and made financial commitments. In addition to this, flats were reclaimed from recipients whose allocations were later cancelled under unclear circumstances.

It has been confirmed that the current government signed formal agreements with at least 24 individuals who scored 75 points. Flats allocated to these individuals are believed to have been re-entered into the new draw, effectively revoking prior commitments. Despite this reallocation, 247 flats reportedly remain unassigned after the latest draw.

Under the previous administration, 305 individuals with 75 points were designated to receive flats following a public draw. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned the current government’s handling of the scheme, accusing it of arbitrarily revoking rights and conducting the latest draw in a manner inconsistent with established procedures.

In a statement, MDP emphasized that the new draw appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to create confusion and undermine those who had been legitimately awarded flats under the original list. The party maintains that this amounts to the unlawful seizure of housing rights from qualified applicants.

MDP also clarified procedures established under its government, including specific rules concerning married couples. According to the guidelines publicly announced by the Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure on 15 November 2023, if both spouses applied separately and qualified, only one flat would be allocated to the couple, based on mutual agreement. This ensured equitable distribution of flats and prevented duplication.

In cases where both spouses qualified for a flat, whether a two- or three-bedroom unit, one party would be included in the draw based on application order, with one flat designated to the couple. These agreements were made accordingly, and the process was publicly transparent.

The current administration, however, has deviated from these principles. By re-conducting the draw for couples who were previously awarded flats under the joint allocation principle and claiming they were “excluded,” the government risks allocating two flats to a single household. This undermines the scheme’s core objective and deprives many others, who are in urgent need of housing, of their rightful access.

The latest draw, carried out on October 8 at the housing ministry, has sparked renewed criticism and intensified scrutiny over the government's management of one of the country’s largest social housing initiatives.