By Uwin Lugoda
Inspired by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's low-income housing initiative, the current Government has announced plans to introduce a similar scheme to middle-income families. This new scheme is set to begin development soon, with a special focus being placed on the construction of 3,000 houses around Sri Lanka.
The construction of these first 3,000 houses was expedited following the instructions of both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. According to a media release by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), these new houses are being constructed in accordance with the President's national policy framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, and will follow all current health and safety guidelines.
All these constructions are subject to all health criteria and instructions, in order to meet the housing needs of the middleclass, even in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the travel restrictions, the quarantine rules, and the health criteria.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa stated that this initiative will take place alongside other development projects such as the beautification of Colombo.
"During the 2009-2014 regime, we focused on giving housing to Sri Lankan citizens, with an emphasis on low-income families. This was the 'Regeneration of Colombo City', where we planned to move 60,000 slum dwellers into better housing. At that time, we were only able to move about 20,000, but we have since completed this task."
He stated that under his guidance, the UDA is now looking to build an initial 3,000 middle-income houses, within a price range of Rs. 10 million to Rs. 17 million, with a 13-year loan given to whoever is buying them. Considered the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, the State Minister explained that the project aims to build 30,000 to 50,000 houses in the next four years.
Dr. Godahewa explained that these houses will mostly be funded by the UDA, with the remaining being private-public partnerships, where the Government provides the land as equity for a private entity to invest in.
"We believe that bringing down the price range of these houses will interest people to move into apartments. With the help of the private sector, we will be able to complete at least 100,000 to 200,000 middle-income houses, and if we get the public excited about these apartments, the private sector will greatly benefit as well."
Under Dr. Godahewa's supervision, the housing project is set to be an attractive development, due to it being in accordance with prescribed standards. These 3,000 houses will be constructed in Orugodawatta, Peliyagoda, Kottawa, Bloemendal, Boralesgamuwa, Malabe, and Getambe in the Kandy District.
Several schemes in development
Speaking to us, a UDA official stated that the housing project commenced earlier this year with several middle-income housing schemes already in development. The first scheme began construction on 4 January in Orugodawatta and consisted of 432 houses, while the second set of 384 houses began development the next day (5 January) in Peliyagoda.
The third scheme consisting of 314 houses also launched on the same day as the second scheme and is located in Makumbura, Kottawa. The housing scheme is being constructed near the Makumbura Multipurpose Transport Centre, which is both an entrance to the Southern Expressway and High Level Road.
Work on the fourth housing complex began on 6 January with the planned construction of 210 housing units located close to the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. The official stated that this housing complex in Bloemendal is situated in an area with an economic zone amidst important commercial buildings.
The fifth housing scheme with 120 new houses commenced on 8 January and is centered in the Boralesgamuwa area, which has a high urban density and a rapidly developing economic pattern. The sixth housing complex located in Peliyagoda with 504 housing units also began construction during the same time.
The next housing scheme began construction on 7 January and was located in Malabe with 256 housing units. The construction of the next housing scheme began on 12 January in Getambe and included 124 units, while the eighth housing scheme was also located in Orugodawatta, similar to the first, and consisted of 440 houses.
Accessible housing
"These housing projects are aimed to continue the development of the country and its people, regardless of the situation, to achieve the objectives set forth by the people, which can successfully face the competitive world in the future," said the UDA official.
The cost for 3,000 houses is estimated to be Rs. 40 billion, and is expected to reach completion within a year and a half from its commencement. The official explained that they will target local, middle-income markets such as newlyweds, young professionals, teachers, bankers, etc.
All the houses are built as flats and will consist of two types of housing units, one of which is 700 sq. ft. and the other 900 sq. ft. The UDA has also come up with an easy way for these middle-income families to get these houses at a low interest rate of 6.25% from state banks within 25 years.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa has also instructed the UDA to adjust these houses to meet the housing needs of these families, according to the current standards in the country.
Housing scheme: Project for middle-income earners
10 Jul 2021
Housing scheme: Project for middle-income earners
10 Jul 2021