Housing Authority launches sale of 145 units

The Housing Authority yesterday launched its sale issue of 145 housing units for which changes are also being introduced in the way they will be awarded.

Authority chairman Marisa Micallef Leyson explained that the units include 74 apartments, 70 maisonettes and one house, spread in several localities including Birkirkara, Bugibba, Fgura, Mosta, Mqabba, Msida, Mtarfa, Naxxar, Pembroke, Qala, Qrendi, St Paul's Bay, Siggiewi, Victoria, Xewkija, Zejtun and Zurrieq.

Ms Micallef Leyson highlighted the four changes that were made in awarding such units.

She said that 100 points would be given to applicants leaving care services to live on their own (previously 50).

Applicants who were de facto separated, including victims of domestic violence would now be eligible for this scheme.

Ten apartments with a 50 per cent subsidy on the price were being reserved for lower-income earners (up to Lm 4,000 per annum).

Applicants had to be aged 18 by the end of December 2004.

Properties are being reserved for the following categories: 55 per cent for families with children, 30 per cent for engaged couples, 10 per cent for applicants with disability and five per cent for singles aged over 30 year, except in the case of applicants with disability or those who experienced living in care, in which case it is over 18.

Ms Micallef Leyson discussed the changes to the scheme and said that the Housing Authority was constantly seeking to make its affordable housing programme more accessible.

The authority was targeting certain client groups who may find difficulty in purchasing their property, she said.

The Housing Authority was reserving 10 apartments to be sold at 50 per cent of their market price to assist those who would like to help themselves but who are not in a position to do so.