There lies no risk for prospective tenants residing within a site in Luqa, awarded a development permit last week, the Housing Authority said.
Mepa last week granted the authority permission to construct 46 dwellings and underlying car park facilities at Triq Wied il-Knejjes in Luqa.
The development was opposed by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, which said the site was full of protected carobs and dry stone walls, it was close to rows of unsold new apartments and it had been previously deferred due to Civil Aviation Authorities evidence on its unsuitability due to safety.
The Housing Authority said that the photo provided by FAA was several kilometres away from the site and led the public to believed the development would be within the valley. The site was, however, within the development zone in a derelict area.
The project would also improve the Luqa streetscape while covering an unsightly blank wall that dominated the approach to the village.
The HA said there was no risk for prospective tenants and several other properties were located in the 600-metre stretch of land that separated the MIA's cross-runway, commonly referred to as the "short runway", from the approved development, including parts of the Luqa village core.
"Such runways are internationally disregarded for public safety zone purposes due to the low-frequency usage, and several types of development are permitted in their vicinity."
The authority also referred to FAA criticism that it did not target the private sector to meet the demand for social housing.
It said it currently offered a number of schemes that encouraged individuals and families to rent or buy from the private sector. It also offered landlords and tenants a number of schemes for the upgrading and modernisation of residential properties, subject to a number of conditions, to further strengthen the rental market, thereby reducing the dependence on development of public housing stock through taxpayers' money.
"The HA spends a total of €2 million annually on such schemes. Moreover, it also offers funds to persons with disability to adapt their residences and overcome, as far as possible, their daily challenges and help them lead fulfilling lives. The Housing Authority will continue to explore ways how the private sector property market could be exploited for the benefit of those in need of its services," it said.
The authority said that many of the vacant properties referred to by the FAA were not suitable for a number of the authority's clients, particularly those with mobility problems.
"It is the Housing Authority's obligation to ensure that all vulnerable members of society are provided adequate housing. For this very reason, its building programme cannot cease completely, but must continue to respond to the demand of its clients."