Sajith initiates 50,000 housing program parallel to 100 days

Monday, 16 February 2015 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Waruni Paranagamage Minister of Housing and Samurdhi Sajith Premadasa announced last week the building of 50,000 houses in 160 electorates island-wide would be implemented in parallel to the 100 days program of the Government. Addressing the media, he asserted that the 300 families in need of urgent housing infrastructure in each electorate would be benefited under the program with the support of district secre

taries, divisional secretaries, the National Housing Development Authority and all other Government institutions. “The beneficiaries will be provided a loan of Rs. 100,000 loan by the Government under an easy repayment plan within 10 years at a 3.75% annual interest rate. The monthly installment will be only Rs. 1,000,” he added. Describing the program’s implementation method, the Minister said the 300 families in each electorate would be selected by the District Housing Committee which consists of the district secretary, divisional secretary, and district manager of the National Housing Development Authority and the housing officer of the division. He added that the process of identification and preparing of the lands for the project had already started. The Minister asserted the infrastructure facilities of the lands were taken into consideration in the selection process. “The total estimation for a house is Rs. 575, 000, but the cost depends on the choice of the beneficiary. We provide Rs. 100,000 and support them to further approach banks for loans.” The Government loan will pass under four steps – foundation completion, wall plate level, roof completion and unit completion. The rest of the cost of construction in each level will be contributed by the beneficiaries. Premadasa said even if the earlier housing plans that had introduced by the former Government were implemented as per the need and plans of the officials, they would depend on the bottom-to-top hierarchy for getting information for planning. He said the Ministry aimed to make the program a success by following ‘participation development,’ which is highly dependent on grassroots level ideas. The Minister said Cabinet approval for the implementation of the program had already been obtained and construction would start from 1 March. The Minister added that the ‘Sevana Foundation’ for another 5,000 houses plan for each electorate under his guidance and support via donations also would be implemented in parallel to the 100 days program. Contributors can donate to the foundation via bank deposits to make it a success.