[WATCH] 220 families in government housing will see improvement to common parts

Government will make available €150,000 in funds to improve the common parts of apartment blocks in 30 housing estates, Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes says

Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes on Social Housing

A sum of €150,000 will be made available to 10 local councils around Malta for use in renovations of the common parts of government apartment blocks.

The funds will target 30 housing estates, Housing Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said on Wednesday. More than 220 families will benefit from the funding.

“The renovation of the communal areas will be carried out according to the residents’ wishes,” Galdes said.

Residents in the selected apartment blocks will have to appoint an administrator, who will then put forward their requests when works are being carried out.

The localities which will benefit from the scheme are Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Floriana, Hamrun, Santa Lucija, Valletta, Marsa, Zejtun, Santa Venera and St Julian’s. 

“This allocation of funds shows a big step in the government’s efforts to invest in those who are truly in need,” he said. 

This agreement follows another investment of €320,000 by the government between 2017 and 2018, which benfitted 63 apartment blocks.

Asked about the rent reform White Paper released in October, which sought to address the price hikes in the rental market,  Galdes said the feedback from the public consultation was currently being analysed.

“When that stage of the process is finished, we then move on to the creation of a law,” he said.

Housing Authority CEO Leonid McKay praised the government’s efforts. 

“The Housing Authority’s main goal is to provide decent accommodation to everyone. It is our job to ensure that the housing estates available provide a decent standard of living,” McKay said.