President's Republic Day message: Do more to ease housing pressures

Malta must continue to help mitigate housing market pressures for those in danger of falling behind, President Myriam Spiteri Debono has warned.

Speaking during her annual Republic Day address, the president said different administrations have taken the people’s right to decent housing seriously, particularly when it comes to young people and those experiencing changes in their civil status.

While commending efforts like the church-government Affordable Housing Foundation, the president said further work must be done to ease market pressures.

A recent report into Malta's property market found the average asking price for an apartment is now €414,600, around €40,000 higher than a year ago, despite the average apartment shrinking in size. The median apartment price also rose, from €285,000 in 2023 to €317,000.

The president emphasised how the European Social Charter, a treaty that protects fundamental social and economic rights, underscores the importance of decent housing.

Spiteri Debono said further analysis needs to be carried out to determine the causes of homelessness, before matters escalate.

She said this analysis must be comprehensive, as the causes are multifaceted and impact different age groups, including minors, with both Maltese and foreign individuals affected.

Addressing social changes

The president also touched upon the need to understand and respond to ongoing social changes, particularly the challenges they pose to Malta’s infrastructure and services.

She said Malta must persist in its efforts to address the deficiencies which are surfacing, which are partly due to the rising population.

“If citizens experience a sense of security in their daily lives, trust in the political and democratic processes increases, thereby reducing the risk of extreme right rhetoric, spreading in our midst as is happening other countries,” the president said.

Spiteri Debono zeroed in on the need to protect Gozo from the challenges that rapid modernisation and swift progress bring.

These challenges are gradually impacting the island both directly and indirectly.

She said that in Gozo, investments, construction, tourism, and any other economic activities have more pronounced effects. 

Every step forward must be taken with the aim of safeguarding Gozo's identity, character, and unique traits, the president said.

Institutional changes

The president expressed her frustration at how the wheels of change grind slowly within the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

She said efforts are being made to better equip the commission, which is responsible for promoting efficient justice, with more resources and personnel.

The president appealed for maturity and unity in the choice of the next chief justice, which will require a two-thirds majority in parliament. Mark Chetcuti, the current chief justice, will reach retirement age next year.

Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti is set to retire next year. File photo.

“Our country does not lack suitable and capable individuals who possess the essential qualities to serve the people in these roles; we do have persons on whom consensus can be reached.”

The president said the Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General are also nearing the end of their mandates.

She said the mandates of these two officials should not commence and terminate at the same time, as this causes an anomaly which the constitution seeks to prevent.

“I refer to the circumstance whereby, in the absence or vacancy of Auditor General, the Constitution provides that the Auditor General’s role is fulfilled by the deputy Auditor General.”