The Malta Development Association has welcomed the recent announcement that the grant for the Housing Authority’s scheme to restore vacant dwellings for use as social housing has been increased from €25,000 to €50,000 and that eligibility has been widened to include properties over 20 years old.

It noted that this change is a significant and positive step for property owners and for communities struggling with housing pressures.

The scheme provides private owners with the financial support they need to bring under-utilised properties back into productive use. The MDA said that it also offers certainty through a 10- year lease to the Housing Authority under the Nikru biex Nassistu programme, with tax- free rental income paid in advance every six months and predictable annual increases.

The MDA said it has “consistently argued that Malta must make better use of what we already have. Our towns and villages are full of older buildings that have stood for generations but, without targeted support, remain empty or fall into disrepair. Schemes like this one not only unlock housing stock for social purpose but also reinforce pride in our built heritage and reduce pressure for unnecessary new development.”

“We also believe this scheme points to a larger truth that the MDA has been emphasising for years. Malta needs a comprehensive approach to retrofitting and regeneration that goes beyond single-purpose grants,” said the MDA.

It added that “retrofitting improves energy efficiency, cuts long- term costs, extends the useful life of buildings, and reduces environmental impact. At the same time it creates work for local trades, supports sustainability goals, and strengthens community fabric.”

The Association called on the Government to build on this initiative and align all schemes with a long-term strategy that:

* Encourages owners of older properties to invest in energy and structural upgrades.

* Ensures funding streams are stable, predictable, and accessible.

* Reduces red tape so that the benefits of renovation are not offset by regulatory delays.

* Integrates retrofitting incentives with broader housing policy, including social housing and affordable rental supply.

The Association argued that “policy certainty is essential. When the rules are clear and support is reliable, owners invest. When uncertainty dominates, properties remain idle.”

The MDA concluded by saying that it “stands ready to work with Government and all stakeholders to make sure this momentum leads to a sustained and effective programme of restoration and retrofitting that benefits all Maltese communities.”

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