Govt plans 1 lakh flats for low-income people: Housing minister

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher today (28 June) said the government has undertaken a number of short and long-term initiatives to address the housing problems of low-income people by ensuring affordable and rental-based housing facilities across the country, including the capital.

He made the remarks while replying to a tabled question by Independent MP Rumeen Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 in the Jatiya Sangsad.

The minister said the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-2035 prepared by Rajuk has identified 58 locations, including Korail slum, to ensure affordable housing for low-income people. Around 100,000 flats are planned in these areas through public and private initiatives.

He said an initiative has been taken to implement a phased residential apartment project for limited-income families on 98 acres of land owned by the National Housing Authority at Dattapara in Tongi, Gazipur.

Taher also said the National Housing Authority is planning a project with financial assistance from development partners to improve the living conditions of low-income residents in about 37 slums under the city corporations and municipalities of Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Barishal, Khulna, Kushtia, Mymensingh and Narayanganj.

The minister said the Rajshahi Development Authority has undertaken an initiative to construct 16 flats on plot no. 578 of the Padma Residential Area for low-income people.

Similarly, he said, the Khulna Development Authority has planned a residential apartment project for low-income families on about eight acres of land at Harintana Mouza in Khulna city.

The minister further informed the House that a proposal is under consideration to implement a self-financed or Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-based project on about 83 kathas of land owned by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) at Saltgola in Chattogram city to provide affordable rental housing for low-income people.