This article was written by Matthew Zerafa, CEO of the Housing Authority, and Brian Micallef, Executive Head of Digitalisation, Legal, and Communications at the Housing Authority.

Effective housing policies must be rooted in evidence-based research to address complex challenges such as affordability, social mobility, and urban development. Furthermore, such policies must ensure that housing strategies are not only responsive to current market conditions but are also able to anticipate future needs.

Over the past decade, Malta has undergone rapid economic and population growth resulting in a shift in Malta’s demographic and housing needs. Foreign workers, mostly of prime working age, have different housing preferences from Maltese households, mainly seeking the private rental market while an increasing share of tourists are opting to stay in short-let accommodations. In tandem to this, the Maltese population is ageing, driven by a low fertility rate and a higher life expectancy, while the size of the Maltese household is getting smaller. Whilst housing construction remained steadfast, the demographic shift in the Maltese population has brought an undisputed need to cater to ever-evolving housing needs.

The Housing Authority plays an important role in Malta’s housing market by securing access to adequate and affordable housing. It allocates social housing, providing a crucial safety net for the most vulnerable households. Moreover, it manages various schemes to facilitate homeownership and provide rental assistance, supporting individuals and families in securing stable housing. Notably, in the past five years, through its initiatives, the Authority has helped on average one household every two days to achieve homeownership. Since 2020, it has also served as the regulator of the private rental market in Malta, ensuring fair practices and tenant protection. As Malta’s largest landlord, the Authority is committed to the renovation and modernisation of the social housing stock, investing around €30.5 million since 2020 in the regeneration and embellishment of social housing estates, as well as in repairs and maintenance.

Through these functions, the Housing Authority plays a key role in shaping Malta’s housing landscape, promoting social inclusion, and addressing evolving housing challenges in a dynamic and growing market.

To further stimulate discussion on the local housing market, on 30th April 2025, the Housing Authority will be organising a national conference titled The Housing Landscape: How are we shaping the future?. This event will provide a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the past, analyse current challenges, and discuss the future of housing in Malta. It will highlight the importance of proactive housing policies to address evolving challenges and ensure sustainable, inclusive housing solutions for future generations.

The conference will feature a keynote presentation by an international speaker, which is intended to provide a comparative analysis of housing policies across European countries. This cross-country perspective is intended to highlight best practices and innovative approaches to housing challenges, offering valuable insights for Malta’s housing sector.

We plan to bring together key stakeholders from different sectors, including policymakers, urban planners, developers, NGOs, and academics, to discuss and debate some of the most pressing issues. One panel discussion will explore alternative housing financing models in Malta and the potential role of housing cooperatives. Another panel discussion will discuss affordable housing and policy innovation, possibly touching on issues such as public-private partnerships, rental assistance programs, and changes in planning regulations. Experts will share insights on how housing supply can be diversified to meet the demands of a growing and changing population.

A major highlight of the conference will be the launch of a comprehensive book on social housing in Malta, which documents its evolution from the post-World War II period to the present day. Social housing is a critical component of the country’s social safety net, aiming to provide affordable and dignified living spaces for those facing financial and social hardships.

The book adopts a multifaceted approach that touches upon multiple aspects of social housing-policy decisions, urban and spatial considerations, the design of housing, and socio-demographic changes. The narrative is complemented by an extensive photo collection, with a portrayal of social housing across numerous localities around Malta, and vignettes, such as requisition orders, reports from the War Damage Commission, and documentation from slum clearance projects, intended to add further depth to this work and serve as a tangible connection to the past.

Like the conference, this book can serve as the foundation for key stakeholders to engage in a proper discussion on the way forward for social housing, touching on topics such as a broader housing policy, and the grounded multidisciplinary understanding of Malta’s housing system.   

Those interested to attend the conference can register by sending an email to: [email protected]