October 04, Colombo (LNW): The Government is set to hand over 5,000 newly constructed homes to beneficiaries tomorrow as part of a nationwide housing initiative marking World Habitat Day, Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Dr H.M. Susil Ranasinghe said.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Government Information Department, the Minister said this year’s World Habitat Day programme would be held under the theme “A Safe Home for All”, with Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya attending as chief guest.
A week-long series of activities will also be conducted across the country as part of Habitat Week, aimed at highlighting the importance of adequate and secure housing.
Ranasinghe said the Government has set a target of completing 30,000 houses by 31 December, with the broader objective of ensuring that every citizen has access to a safe and suitable home.
Priority in the allocation of houses will be given to low-income families. Under the community-based construction programme, each beneficiary household will receive a fully equipped 550-square-foot house.
The housing initiative will also extend to families in the Northern and Eastern provinces whose homes were destroyed during the conflict. The Government plans to provide Rs. 2 million towards the construction of each house for such families.
Under the “Yathiwara Ma Piya” housing scheme, beneficiaries will receive Rs. 1.5 million per house, while Rs. 2 million will be allocated for the construction of safe homes for children living in institutional care.
The Government has also made provisions for families whose houses were completely destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah, with Rs. 5 million to be provided to each affected family for reconstruction.
Meanwhile, Rs. 500 million has been set aside for housing loans for public sector employees. The Government will subsidise four percentage points of the interest payable on these loans in an effort to make home ownership more affordable.
Migrant workers will also be eligible for bank loans of up to Rs. 10 million at an interest rate of 15 per cent. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment will provide assistance towards part of the interest burden under the scheme.
The Minister said the range of programmes was intended not only to increase the number of houses available, but also to ensure that vulnerable families and those affected by conflict or natural disasters have access to secure and adequate housing.
