Parking and construction issues dominate resident concerns – survey

A lack of parking was highlighted as the main problem people face in their home and also in their neighbourhood, a survey conducted by the Housing Authority has found.

Data for the study was collected using a bespoke questionnaire, and the survey had a representative sample of approximately 800 respondents aged 18 and over residing in Malta (including both Maltese nationals and foreign residents). The aim of the study was to provide an assessment of how diverse people in Malta experience their housing conditions, with a view to inform policy, the authority said.

Among other things, those surveyed were asked about the main problems faced with their property, neighbourhood and, for those living in apartments, their block. On the first point (their property), the lack of parking emerged as a key shortcoming. This was mentioned by one-third of respondents.

Over a fourth of respondents highlighted having limited outdoor space, while two in ten complained about poor accessibility, poor temperature control, poor ventilation or a leaking roof, damp, and rot.

The main issue that dominated concerns at the level of the block was poor accessibility, followed by problems caused by other permanent residents (both just under 30 per cent), the report states. “Around 20 per cent mentioned poor condominium management and issues related to long and short term tenants.”

As for neighbourhoods, the most cited problem is that of not having parking, which was reported by more than seven in ten. 47 per cent mentioned concerns regarding having to put up with construction, 43 per cent mentioned noise, 39 per cent mentioned limited access to open space and 32 per cent mentioned lack of pedestrian infrastructure. “It is worth noting that all these issues tend to be related to construction.”

It also said that a substantial number of respondents also complain of a lack of access to public transport, dirt and lack of maintenance, and the lack of access to amenities. “Reassuringly, only 14 per cent complain about the lack of safety and security in terms of crime.”

As for satisfaction levels, it found that there seems to be high satisfaction levels with one’s dwelling (averaging 4.3 out of 5), higher than with the common areas in their block (average 3.9) or indeed with one’s neighbourhood in general (at around 4.1 on average). Over half of the respondents offered a five to describe their level of satisfaction with their home. but just over a third stated the same for their common parts.

The survey also asked about amenities. It found that nine out of ten respondents have access to internet at home, and almost as many have air conditioning.

When it comes to energy/water saving and generation, over one in four of the survey’s respondents have PV panels (in contrast with 7 per cent reported in the 2021 census), and just over one in five have solar water heaters. The survey found that around 30 per cent have a Reverse Osmosis system (double those in the 2021 census). Almost half of the respondents report they have triple or double-glazed windows, but far fewer (16 per cent) have insulation, it found.

It noted that across multiple indicators (PV, solar heaters, RO systems and some others), the survey sample consistently reports higher levels of dwelling amenities than those observed in the Census 2021. “While it is possible that these were installed since the census (which occurred four years earlier), it is also plausible that the sample may be skewed toward higher-income, owner-occupied or better-quality housing, reflecting the stronger economic conditions of respondents.”

Regardless, the study also said that the uptake of energy-efficiency features remains relatively limited. “Fewer than one-third of respondents report having measures such as insulation, PV panels, solar water heaters, or reverse osmosis water systems. Among Maltese households, the adoption of certain energy-efficiency features, such as insulation and double/triple-glazed windows, is particularly low among the elderly cohort, possibly reflecting both structural constraints of older dwellings, lower incentives and constrained payoff or ability to undertake such upgrades later in life.”

“Overall, these findings point to a clear gap in the diffusion of energy-efficient technologies across the housing stock. They point to a potential role for more targeted policy measures and incentives aimed at encouraging households, especially owner-occupiers and older residents, to invest in improving the energy performance and sustainability of their homes.”

The survey also finds that homeownership remains dominant in Malta, but states that the rental sector is growing. 49 per cent of migrants rent, as do 11 per cent of young adults, and 7 per cent of prime aged adults and elderly respondents.

The survey states that overall, the comparison between the sample with the population indicates a generally good alignment across several key demographic dimensions, particularly in geographic distribution and core age groups. However, some systematic differences are evident, notably the over-representation of females, highly educated individuals, and those in employment, alongside the underrepresentation of certain age cohorts and economically inactive individuals in the survey sample.