Public pressure pushes government to reclaim misused Gedhoruveriya flats

Widespread public anger regarding the unlawful leasing of government-subsidized Gedhoruveriya apartments has led to prompt measures by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s government. The government has declared a comprehensive inspection and enforcement initiative to locate and reclaim social housing units that are being sublet at excessive prices — a step intended to maintain fairness in the state's most ambitious housing program ever.

The controversy began when it was found that multiple beneficiaries of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) apartments in Hulhumalé had started listing the recently allocated units for rent, merely two weeks after the key handover commenced. As per FDC, 78 beneficiaries have been given keys to their apartments, with the initial handovers occurring at Tower 14 of Amaan Udhares in Hulhumalé Phase 2.

Even prior to residents starting to move in, rental ads featuring images emerged on online platforms, presenting two- and three-bedroom apartments at prices soaring to MVR 25,000 monthly — over twice the government-mandated prices of MVR 8,000 for two-bedroom units and MVR 11,500 for three-bedroom units, both including maintenance fees.