PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR GOZO AND PLANNING AND THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION
The rental market in Gozo has evolved and has become attractive not only tourists but workers and individuals who choose to retire on this island.
Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri and Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation Roderick Galdes addressed a conference entitled ‘The Residential Rental Market in Gozo’’ where various challenges and opportunities related to this topic were discussed. This conference was held by the Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA) and the Housing Authority followed the publication of a discussion paper analysing the residential rental and housing market in Gozo.
Minister Clint Camilleri said he was pleased with the initiative, describing it as another step towards closer cooperation between authorities to ensure Gozo continues to grow sustainably. He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to make rent more affordable, especially for people facing social challenges. He mentioned the social housing project in taċ-Ċawla, Victoria, Gozo, where development of apartments and recreational spaces helps to create a healthier community.
Looking at the bigger picture, Minister Camilleri shared that that the rental market in Gozo has evolved over the last decade. From a market that focused mainly on tourism, to a place that is attracting not only workers but also people choosing to retire on the island. This shift is a result of a better connectivity which includes Gozo Channel service, fast ferry and future projects such as Airfield in Xewkija.
Minister Clint Camilleri concluded that developments are an outcome of years of work and the government’s commitment to strengthening Gozo in a sustainable way.
Minister Roderick Galdes in his speech mentioned a drastically increase in rents registered in Gozo, after the introduction of the Private Residential Rental Act in 2020. He referred to the rent reforms undertaken in 2018 and 2021 respectively, which is a strong testament to social and affordable housing. “Such studies lay a solid foundation for a constructive discussion on the needs of the rental market in Gozo in the coming months and years. As a government we will continue to show a proactive mindset not only by listening to what stakeholders have to say, but also by doing what is necessary to further improve the rental market in Malta and Gozo”, said Minister Galdes.
The CEO of the Gozo Regional Development Authority Mario Borg stated that “The Authority is promoting this discussion on the residential rental market as we believe that this topic has an important role to play which is closely linked to the three main building blocks of the Regional Development Strategy for Gozo, namely the sensible use of land, an economy that improves the quality of life, and the strengthening of Gozitan identity’’
