The Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed, held a press conference, today in Ebène, to outline the details of the newly approved ‘Rent-to-Own’ housing scheme, which aims to assist vulnerable Mauritians who are not able to qualify for traditional housing loans and financing facilities.
The scheme is being introduced by the National Housing Development Company Ltd (NHDC) to provide an alternative pathway for those who have not been able to secure credit or loans due to low income or other financial constraints. The Minister explained that the initiative would primarily benefit single mothers, the elderly, pension beneficiaries, individuals receiving social aid, and other vulnerable families, including those with limited financial resources.
"Many Mauritians face difficulties accessing homeownership due to low income or the inability to meet the criteria set by commercial banks or the NHDC," the Minister stated. He added that the new scheme is designed to provide them with an opportunity for homeownership, even if they do not qualify for traditional financing.
Under the ‘Rent-to-Own’ scheme, applicants will initially pay a monthly rent of Rs 4,000 over a period of five years. At the end of this term, if the applicant's financial situation has improved and they are eligible for a loan from the NHDC or Maubank, a significant portion—up to 80%—of the rent paid during those five years will be credited toward the purchase of the property.
If the applicant cannot obtain a loan within five years, the contract will be extended by another five years. It is noted that no deposit is required to enter into the agreement. Minister Shakeel Mohamed also pointed out that in cases where the tenant passes away, their children will be able to benefit from the payments made prior to the death of the contract holder.
To qualify for the ‘Rent-to-Own’ scheme, applicants must demonstrate that they have previously been rejected for housing loans or credit facilities either by a commercial bank or the NHDC. According to Mr Mohamed, the NHDC already maintains a database of eligible applicants whose requests were declined due to low-income status, and they will begin contacting these individuals directly.
The Minister further indicated that applicants will be evaluated based on a points system developed by the NHDC’s allocation committee. Points will be awarded according to factors such as the length of time an applicant has been on the waiting list and family circumstances, with single parents and those with dependents receiving priority.
For example, single parents with four dependents will receive 10 points, while those with fewer dependents will receive progressively fewer points. While the new system caters for single individuals, the Minister affirmed that priority will be given to single mothers and their children.
In addition to the ‘Rent-to-Own’ scheme, the Minister highlighted several improvements to the broader housing loan landscape. Hence, the Government has relaxed certain criteria to allow more people to access loans, particularly through Maubank and the NHDC.
Notable changes include a reduction in processing fees and an extension of the repayment period for housing loans. It is recalled that for those unable to qualify for loans, the NHDC offers credit facilities to families earning between Rs 14,726 and Rs 18,173 per month, with the condition that they can afford a monthly loan repayment of Rs 7,000.
Update on Social Housing Projects
Regarding the ongoing social housing projects under the NHDC and the New Social Living Development, the Minister provided an update on the progress of construction. Several homes have already been completed and are being allocated to eligible families. However, the Minister acknowledged the public’s impatience, deploring that some sites have encountered delays due to issues such as lack of water and electricity connections, waste management facilities, and drainage problems.
While some housing projects are expected to be completed by December of this year, others will only be ready by June of next year and in 2027. The Minister assured that these challenges are being addressed, but it may take some time before all housing sites are fully operational.
GIS – 10 November 2025