CEO overseeing Housing Authority’s transformation appointed to EU Housing Advisory Board

Housing Authority CEO Matthew Zerafa has been selected to advise the European Commission in preparation for the European Affordable Housing Plan, joining 14 other experts from across the continent.

The EU’s Housing Advisory Board is tasked with providing concrete, independent policy recommendations to the Commission.

The appointment is the latest feather in Mr Zerafa’s cap, having transitioned from Policy Consultant to CEO in November 2022, marking a natural progression in his dedication to transforming the sector.

For Matthew Zerafa, leading the Malta Housing Authority goes beyond personal achievement – it is the culmination of years spent shaping Malta’s housing policy landscape.

“Stepping into the role of CEO gave me the opportunity to more efficiently implement the concepts I had worked on in my advisory capacity – drafting legislation, schemes, strategies, and frameworks to improve social housing access and affordability,” he reflects.

This hands-on approach has enabled Matthew to bridge the gap between policy formation and implementation, turning strategic visions into tangible outcomes. Striking a balance between urgency and long-term planning has been one of his greatest challenges. “Housing is a basic human right, and the need is often immediate. However, our solutions must also be sustainable, particularly given Malta’s critically limited resources, such as land scarcity,” he remarks.

A key milestone in Matthew’s career was the introduction of the 2020 Rent Reform, which he spearheaded. This marked the culmination of a three-year research-intensive effort. “The market was disorganised, but we brought key stakeholders together to draft legislation that supports a fair and stable environment for landlords, tenants and other parties, effectively cutting through the red tape,” he explains.

Under Matthew’s leadership, the Housing Authority has transformed significantly from its original mandate. “It was established as the sole entity in Malta tasked with addressing the housing sector in its entirety,” Matthew explains. “While social housing remains a crucial service and a core component of our work, the way we administer our services has evolved drastically.”

This transformation is evident in the Authority’s approach, which prioritises personalised and sustainable solutions. “Rather than simply building and allocating apartments, our social welfare professionals meet applicants personally to understand their unique circumstances. This allows us to tailor housing solutions to their needs,” he shares.

The Housing Authority’s expansion strategy is equally comprehensive. “We employ a range of strategies to sustain and grow our housing stock, from regenerating dilapidated buildings to embellishing existing stock and launching innovative schemes in collaboration with the private sector,” Matthew explains. The scale of this expansion is noteworthy: “Over the past decade, we’ve built nearly a third of our current housing stock.” 

In 2024, the Housing Authority embarked on an ambitious digitalisation process to streamline operations and enhance service delivery. This process focuses on creating client profiles that address the diverse needs of its clientele, ranging from private landlords and tenants to first-time buyers, new families, socially vulnerable individuals, and elderly residents with accessibility challenges.

Reflecting on this transformation, Matthew remarks, “leading an organisation with 50 years of paperwork and physical files, and a team that includes employees with decades of service, through a digital overhaul is a significant challenge. However, this cultural shift is vital to making our administration more efficient and effective.”

The establishment of Policy and Compliance departments in 2023 introduced stringent controls to prevent misuse of the Authority’s substantial €60 million annual budget. He emphasises the importance of allocating resources transparently and effectively, thereby strengthening the organisation’s accountability.

In its mission to support homeownership, the Housing Authority has expanded its portfolio to include 18 targeted schemes, designed to address diverse personal circumstances. One impactful initiative is the New Hope Scheme, which acts as a guarantor for individuals who face barriers to obtaining home loans. Matthew shares a personal connection to this scheme: “My friend Andrew, a cancer survivor, was unable to secure a life insurance policy required for a home loan. Through this scheme, the Housing Authority stepped in as a guarantor, allowing him to achieve his dream of homeownership.”

This focus on personal stories over numbers reflects Matthew’s leadership philosophy. “We are more concerned with real people and their challenges. Housing costs absorb a large share of households’ income, particularly for first-time buyers and low-income families in the rental market. By designing schemes that cater to various demographics, we’ve supported young graduates, elderly individuals with accessibility issues and others in achieving this life goal, raising Malta’s homeownership rate to 85 per cent,” he notes with pride.

Looking back on the past year, Matthew is pleased with the Authority’s accomplishments. “We set an ambitious agenda, including major reforms and legislative changes aimed at improving housing accessibility and quality. Despite the challenges, we delivered on time, and in some cases, exceeded expectations. Internally, we strengthened our teams and optimised processes, laying the foundation for future expansion,” he reflects.

For 2025, the Housing Authority has outlined several initiatives, including the creation of Malta’s first property register. “A comprehensive and accessible housing database would enhance transparency and provide valuable insights for policy and market analysis,” Matthew explains.

Simplifying services and reducing bureaucracy have also been key to the Authority’s reforms. “We focus on addressing genuine needs and eliminating unnecessary barriers so that eligible individuals and families receive timely assistance through a transparent and user-friendly system,” Matthew emphasises.

Alignment with European housing policies is another priority for the Housing Authority, particularly following the appointment of the EU’s first Commissioner specifically for housing in 2024. “We look forward to addressing key housing issues together with our European counterparts while bringing in more EU investment and improved regulations in the sector,” Matthew notes. Such alignment is crucial in tackling issues like energy poverty, which has gained prominence on the European agenda.

The Authority’s commitment to sustainable construction is reflected in its pilot projects, such as a nearly zero-energy building in Żabbar. This building has been retrofitted using available resources, high-energy-rating appliances and triple-glazed apertures. Matthew hopes the project will serve as a prototype for future developments, aligning with both local and European sustainability goals.

With its ongoing digitalisation process and various initiatives in the pipeline, the Housing Authority, under Matthew’s leadership, is evolving into a forward-thinking organisation. No longer limited to traditional housing provision, it is redefining itself as a modern agency dedicated to addressing Malta’s diverse housing needs while maintaining its core social mission.

“We are striving to create a comprehensive approach to housing solutions that balances innovation and inclusivity,” Matthew emphasises. “Our aim is to support Malta’s housing landscape for generations to come.”