More than 100 apartments and nine maisonettes are being sold by the Housing Authority to people who cannot afford to pay market prices.

"Maltese people want to own their home but there are a number of families, and even single persons, who would not be able to afford the private sector's prices," Dolores Cristina, the minister responsible for housing, said yesterday.

The 117 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences in 14 localities are not only less expensive but the authority is also giving an additional 25 per cent subsidy, amounting to €3 million.

Speaking in front of a block of apartments in Mtarfa, Mrs Cristina said the lot of residences were part of 255 apartments and 12 maisonettes finished in the past year, costing a total of €4.2 million.

She said work was underway on another 42 apartments in seven sites. Rehabilitation works are being carried out in 24 apartments in Tarxien and Valletta.

She said the authority did not solely offer residences for sale but also helped people who wanted to rent their homes or fix them. In fact, last year 417 people were given a total of €1 million to do work on their first residence. Another 17 couples were assisted to get a loan to buy their first residence and 204 apartments were given to people who needed alternative accommodation.

The authority last year spent almost €354,000 on properties that were then rented to 65 people and also help them carry out embellishment works in their new residence.

Moreover, the authority helped 1,226 families pay rent to the private sector to the tune of €900,000.

The prices of residences put up for sale yesterday range from €52,600 for one-bedroom apartments and maisonettes to €92,214 for a three-bedroom maisonette.

The apartments will be open for viewing this coming weekend and the following between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.