Kerala State Housing Board: Objectives, Features & Benefits

The Housing Department of Kerala looks after the housing sector in Kerala. Various schemes are put into action to meet the housing needs of the residents. The Housing Department of Kerala governs the Kerala State Housing Board to plan and execute several housing schemes under it.

source: deccanherald

Kerala State Housing Board is a corporate legal entity present under Kerala State Housing Board Act (Act 19 of 1971). This board was formed to plan the preparation and execute Kerala's housing and enhancement schemes. Kerala State Housing Board, abbreviated as KSHB, merged with the former City Improvement Trust and came into existence on 5th March 1971.

KSHB is the designated nodal agency for implementing the re-resettlement program and coastal housing under TRP. Kerala State Housing Board is the appointed board to fulfil all housing requirements of those who wish to reside in Kerala.

The primary objectives of Kerala State Housing Board are as follows –

• Constructing houses for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), low and middle-income groups of people residing in unhygienic and unhealthy conditions
• Financing construction projects for individuals eager to build houses on the land they own
• Urban growth of Kerala
• Forming commercial properties like shops, offices, factories, industries, etc. 
• Developing infrastructural facilities like roads, transport systems, sewage, solid waste management, drainage facilities, power supplies, water, etc.

The Kerala State Housing Board features several schemes applicable under it. The schemes are listed below –

1. Laksham Veedu Renovation

One lakh houses in Kerala will be renovated under this scheme. The board will provide about ₹ 50,000 for the renovation of each house. This scheme will convert twin houses and broken houses into a single entity and reconstruct single houses.

2. One Lakh Houses Scheme

One lakh houses will be constructed and given out to weaker sections of the society. Each family will get a house with two bedrooms and a kitchen. The aim was to build 96,000 houses and distribute 100 houses in 960 panchayats. As the previous houses were built thirty years ago, the condition of these houses is poor, and they need maintenance. So, this scheme will renovate those damaged houses as well.

3. Tribal Housing Scheme

The Government of Kerala proposed this scheme for the construction of houses for Wayanad tribes. 270 houses will be constructed and distributed to the tribes living in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, under this scheme. The construction cost of each unit will be ₹ 90,000.

4. Suraksha Housing Scheme

Under this scheme, the economically weaker section of the society can opt for financial help. Eligible people will receive financial aid for house construction, provided they own a minimum of two cents of land.  The construction cost for every house is ₹ 30,000. Kerala State Housing Board has proposed a new Suraksha scheme where it will provide one lakh rupees for the construction of each house. Twenty thousand houses will be constructed under this new plan.

Grihasree Housing Scheme is a Kerala State Housing Board initiative where individuals can get up to four lakh rupees for constructing a house.

The benefits of the Grihasree scheme are as follows:

• Under this scheme, lower and middle-income groups will receive houses at lower prices and interest rates. 
• Individuals, who want to own a house in Kerala, will easily get a home loan.

A person should meet these parameters to be eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme –

• The beneficiary should be a permanent resident of the state. 
• They should have a bank account and the details of the passbook entries.
• Applicants should not have any property or house in their name on the subsidized prices. 
• The repayment time for house loans will be three to ten years. The repayment will be made in monthly instalments.
• MIG and LIG people must have their BPL or APL ration cards. 
• The applicant's age should not be more than 55 years.

Here are the steps to apply for Grihasree Housing Scheme –

Step 1 – Visit the official website of Kerala Housing State Board.

Step 2 – Click on Grihasree Housing Scheme from the notification panel on the right side of the website.

Step 3 – Upload all the necessary documents.

Step 4 – Fill the application form and submit it to the concerned authority office.

The documents required to apply for this scheme are –

• Permanent address proof of the applicant
• Income details of the applicant
• Applicants should have BPL, AAY and APL Ration cards
• Salary certificate if the applicant is employed (for loan process)
• Applicant’s business details (previous three years expenditure and income details for loan)
• Applicant’s registered mobile number

Owning a house is one of the most significant financial decisions for every individual. But the economically weaker section fails to own a proper house due to a shortage of savings. Thus, the Kerala State Housing Board formulated the schemes mentioned above to meet all housing needs of the residents of Kerala.