Social housing waiting lists up almost 50% in four years

The waiting list for housing shot up by 47.2% between 2021 and 2025, amid delays to large social housing project.

Statistics in the Housing Authority’s annual report shows the waiting list has steadily increased from 1,294 people in 2021 to 1,905 last year.

Roderick Galdes, the minister responsible for social housing since 2020, resigned in January amid scrutiny of his private property purchases and links with contractors.

Malita Investments, a company majority-owned by the government, last year ran into financial troubles which saw delays to multiple social housing projects.

It has since resumed works on two of these projects after securing bank financing.

In 2025, 562 new applications for housing were opened, while the authority delivered 19 housing units across four projects, according to the report.

Based on information gathered from the initial assessments carried out in 2025, the authority said 61.4% of applicants were female, while 38.6% were male.

Increase in men applying for housing

Although female applicants remained the majority, the data indicates that the gap between genders narrowed compared to previous years.

The authority said this trend may suggest a gradual increase in male applicants seeking social housing support, potentially reflecting changing socio-economic circumstances, shifts in household composition, or increased awareness of available assistance.

At the same time, the higher proportion of female applicants continues to reflect the vulnerability of certain groups, including single mothers and women heading households, who remain among the primary beneficiaries of social housing schemes, the authority said.

The average age of new applicants in 2025 was 42 years. The youngest applicant was 18, while the oldest was 88. A total of 17.% of applicants were over 60.

According to the report, 43.9% of new applicants rely solely on social benefits, while 35.8% are employed.

Demand for one-bedroom properties continued to increase in 2025. This trend reflects a number of underlying demographic and social factors, including an ageing population living independently for longer, an increase in marital separations, lower birth rates, and a growing number of individuals opting to live alone.

In response to this shift in household composition, the authority said it is expanding its one-bedroom housing stock to better align supply with current demand patterns.

Reasons for wanting to exchange properties

Last year, the authority received 92 new applications from tenants wishing to exchange the property currently leased to them.

Of the pending exchange applications, 124 applications were put in due to the tenant’s present property having “too many stairs.”

Tenants wanting a larger property and wanting to be closer to a relative were the second and third most common reason for exchange.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said despite the government’s promises, the reality is that many families, young couples, elderly people and vulnerable persons are still finding it difficult to secure an affordable home or social accommodation. 

The party said housing is not a privilege, but a fundamental right.

"This is why there is a need for greater investment in social and affordable accommodation, more transparency in the management of projects, and stronger protection for tenants," the PN said.