One lakh flats to be built for low-income people

The government has planned to build about one lakh affordable flats in different areas including the capital to solve the housing problem of low-income people in the country, said Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher. 

At the same time, several initiatives have been taken to expand rental-based housing facilities in different cities, he added.

Zakaria Taher said this in response to a question from Rumin Farhana, an independent member of the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, in the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday.

The minister said that the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-2035 prepared by the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has identified 58 places, including the Karail slum, to ensure affordable housing for low-income people. There are plans to build about one lakh flats in these areas through government and private initiatives.

He said that an initiative has been taken to take up a residential flat construction project for people with limited income in phases on 98 acres of land owned by the National Housing Authority in Dattapara, Tongi, Gazipur.

Apart from this, the National Housing Authority has taken the initiative to undertake a project to improve the living standards of low-income people living in about 37 slums in Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Barishal, Khulna, Kushtia, Mymensingh and Narayanganj City Corporation and Municipality areas with the funding of development partner agencies.

The minister further said that the Rajshahi Development Authority has taken the initiative to construct 16 flats in plot number 578 of the Padma Residential Area. Similarly, the Khulna Development Authority has taken the initiative to implement a residential flat construction project for low-income people on about eight acres of land in Harintana Mouza.

Meanwhile, a project proposal is under consideration on the basis of self-financing or public-private partnership (PPP) to provide monthly rental housing for low-income people on about 83 kathas of land owned by the Chowk in the Saltogola area under the jurisdiction of the Chattogram Development Authority, the Housing Minister said.