Tenant union slams developers' 'hypocrisy' on affordable housing plan

The trade and tenant union Solidarjetà on Thursday urged the government to increase investment in affordable and social housing while denouncing the “hypocrisy” of the Malta Development Association on the matter.

In its statement, which was endorsed by Moviment Graffitti, Solidarjetà highlighted the “irony” of the MDA’s position on the government’s initiative to develop affordable housing through the Foundation for Affordable Housing.

 “The MDA is not objecting because the project is flawed, but because it threatens the buy-to-let status quo that prioritises profit over people,”  Solidarjetà  said.

On Wednesday, the MDA had criticised the government’s plan to build and sell housing below market prices claiming this risked destabilizing the property market.

They insisted that public land should not be given to developers “for free under the pretext of affordable housing” and called on the government to “abandon” this initiative.

However, Solidarjetà said the MDA’s argument was “deeply ironic”.

“For years, the MDA remained silent as public land and government property were sold at favourable rates to its members. Yet when a project emerges that seeks to provide affordable homes for workers, low-income families, and first-time buyers, the MDA is quick to raise the alarm,” the union said.

While welcoming the government’s initiative, Solidarjetà argued “government should always retain ownership over the land these properties are built on”.

They acknowledged that “this project alone will not solve the housing crisis” but supported “any serious effort to address the deepening housing crisis and make homes accessible to those currently priced out of the market”.

Solidarjetà urged the government to “stand firm” and increase investment in affordable and social housing.

“Housing is not a commodity, it is a human right. And it’s time Malta’s housing policies reflected that reality,” Solidarjetà added.