821 families given the opportunity to become owners of their own homes

821 families residing in government-owned homes in 16 different localities can become owners of their own homes.

This was announced by Family Minister Chris Said and Consumers Minister Jason Azzopardi during the launch of another government scheme - The 'Sir Sid Darek'.

A total of 150 blocks of apartment currently owned by the Lands Department will be transferred to the Housing Authority who in turn will make it possible for the families to buy their apartments. The apartments will be sold at a subsidised price of up to 60% of their commercial price.

Through a separate scheme - the Darek Facli scheme - the Housing Authority received over 800 applications for the purchase of 123 apartments and 98 garages. The properties were offered for sale at heavily subsidized prices.

In a separate scheme, the Housing Authority has launched the possibility for people to rent apartments - direct from the authority - at a subsidised price.

According to Minister Said, owners of vacant private properties have already come forward, willing to rent their property to the Housing Authority. Some 600 properties are currently being evaluated.

The families eligible to benefit from the 'Sir Sid Darek' scheme are those residing in Birgu, Bormla, Isla, Imgarr, Qormi, Rabat, St Julian's, San Gwann, Santa Lucija, Ta' Xbiex, Tarxien, Valletta, Rabat (Gozo), Zabbar, Haz-Zebbug and Zejtun.