A drive to upgrade neglected government housing estates has started to bear fruit, with a few regeneration projects already completed.

Eleven local councils have so far taken part in the Housing Authority scheme to regenerate areas surrounding the estate blocks.

Mattia Preti Square in Valletta, which is undergoing the finishing touches before its inauguration, is one such example.

In various other localities, the works include paving repairs, the installation of CCTV cameras and PV panels, as well as energy saving lighting, which was set up around the jogging track in Sta Luċija.

Boundary walls around the Birżebbuġa block have also been replaced, the architect responsible for the works, Melanie Spiteri, said. The scheme has allocated €75,000 per locality over six years.

A second scheme has allocated €6 million over six years for the upgrading of common areas, with blocks receiving a maximum of about €5,000 each, on condition that an administrator is appointed.

This year, about 14 local councils and 150 blocks have participated, 28 from Valletta alone, Housing Authority CEO Albert Buttigieg said.

The initiative, My Building, My Home, is aimed at creating a sense of ownership, to encourage residents to take more care of their block and its surroundings.

“They need to participate and not remain passive recipients,” said Mr Buttigieg. In fact, once their blocks are shipshape, they are expected to handle the maintenance.