Housing Authority properties at 20% discount

The Housing Authority this morning put 152 properties on the market to sell at a discount for social housing.

The properties, in Birkirkara, Kirkop, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mgarr, Mriehel, Mtarfa, Naxxar, Pembroke, Qawra, Tarxien, Zebbug, Zejtun, Zurrieq and Xewkija, are being sold at a discount of 20 per cent.

The aim is to help young couples and families with children, providing them with affordable housing, Social Development Minister John Dalli said.

He added families with disabled children will be given preference over others for 10 per cent of the houses. Applications will be issued on December 1.

Mr Dalli said that another scheme would be launched making available properties at discounted rental rates. The basis of social housing, he said, should not be the building of luxury apartments and giving them away for free but to provide comfortable, affordable housing to those in need.