The Malta Development Association, in a statement, has said that it wishes to restate its position clearly following what it called, ”misleading statements made by Il Kollettiv.”

The MDA said that its objection to the so called “affordable housing” tenders is ”not based on the fact that some consumers may acquire property below market prices. On the contrary, the Association supports genuine measures that improve affordability and help first time buyers enter the market.”

The MDA stressed that its concern is that these tenders ”must be structured fairly and in the public interest. The Association’s calculations, which have not been credibly challenged, show that a better model could deliver lower prices to consumers while ensuring that public land is used properly and responsibly.”

It argued that ”this is especially relevant where public land is being made available on terms that are, for all practical purposes, equivalent to being free.”

The MDA also noted that rising property prices ”remain a serious concern.” It added that ”many of its members are actively focused on providing homes for first time buyers, but the market continues to face strong cost pressures, particularly from land prices, excessive bureaucracy, as well as rising construction and finishing costs.”

According to the MDA, ”developers are often forced to acquire land at very high, and sometimes exaggerated, prices, which inevitably pushes final property prices upward.”

The Association said that it ”remains ready to support the Government in developing fair, lawful and effective models that genuinely improve housing affordability in Malta.” It also noted that its position on this matter is ”not isolated and has found support from other NGOs as well as political parties.”

The MDA concluded by saying that it has ”consistently upheld this principle on the use of public land, irrespective of the identity of the developers involved.”

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