What is needed in the field of social housing is long-term planning, not publicity opportunities

Families living in social housing deserve more than photos and statements of the Minister visiting maintenance works that are a basic duty of Government

The Opposition urges the Government to stop the publicity and instead start prioritising regular maintenance of social housing.

The Opposition welcomes every investment that improves the quality of life of social housing residents. However, it is unacceptable for the Government to present maintenance and embellishment works, which are its basic duty, as an extraordinary achievement.

Families living in social housing should not have to wait many years for essential repairs to be carried out on façades, roofs, balconies and common parts. These are not luxury projects, but maintenance works that should have been carried out regularly so that buildings are not allowed to deteriorate.

At the same time that Minister Owen Bonnici is holding press conferences and visiting places where maintenance works are being carried out, reports by the National Audit Office continue to show shortcomings in governance and administrative controls in areas under the Government’s responsibility.

The priority should be efficient administration and long-term planning, not publicity exercises.

The Opposition also recalls that programmes for the regeneration and maintenance of social housing have existed for many years and did not start today. What residents expect is continuous maintenance, and not for every basic piece of work to be presented as some new initiative.

We appeal to the Minister to publish a national preventive maintenance plan for all social housing property, instead of seeking publicity opportunities. This plan should include clear targets, transparent budgets and timelines that residents can follow

Families living in social accommodation deserve more than photos and statements. They deserve regular maintenance, a safe environment and an administration that works in their interest every day, not only when there is a camera present.

Ivan Bartolo
Shadow Minister for Social Policy, the Family and Social Housing

08.07.2026

See the Shadow Minister’s message here