Conference Proceedings : “JANASEVANA” National ... - UN HABITAT

Key factors in settlement planning:
• Population density
• Lifestyles and livelihoods
• Environmental conditions
• Socio‐economic factors
• Impact of climate change
• Provision of diversified housing options
• Cater to a wide range of needs and affordability levels
• Increase availability of concessionary financing to middle and low income groups for housing
Key Strategies for the Housing Sector in Sri Lanka
• Change the role of the Government: The Government’s role to be changed from a developer and financier to that
of a regulator and facilitator. Strategic housing investments targeting vulnerable populations should be
implemented and the housing sector should be developed with the active engagement of the private sector,
thereby creating a conducive environment for rapid and robust development of Sri Lanka’s housing market.
• Ensure better coordination among agencies: Coordination among agencies should be improved especially on the
provision of services such as water supply, sanitation, transportation, utilities and healthcare while increasing the
efficiency of local authorities in housing and related sectors.
• Improve quality of housing and construction: Modern standards and concepts of housing should be considered
from the viewpoints of safety, comfort, energy efficiency and climate and disaster resilience. Modular housing
technologies should be introduced and strategies to maximize land utilization and to reduce unit cost
implemented. Regular repair and rehabilitation programmes should be put in place for existing housing schemes.
• Strengthen the rental housing market: Rental housing developers of low and middle‐income housing should be
provided incentives. A regulatory regime should be created to protect the rights and interests of tenants as well
as developers and owners.
• Develop under‐served settlements: Underserved settlements should be developed by introducing a programme
to provide housing facilities to families through liberalisation and development of prime lands. By 2015, 40,000
apartment units are scheduled for construction for shanty dwellers and 20,000 luxury and semi‐luxury apartments
will be constructed in formerly underserved areas.
Implementing the above strategies will ensure that every family will have a decent, comfortable house with
necessary common amenities, in culturally vibrant, environmentally sustainable and economically productive human
settlements.
“Janasevana” Housing Policy: Current Status and Way Forward
Mr.Gamini Withana, Deputy General Manager, National Housing Development Authority
The 'JanaSevana' Housing Development Programme was launched in Sri Lanka in 2010 by the Ministry of Construction,
Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities. The Programme aims to provide every Sri Lankan family with
an adequate house within the next six years. It caters to the needs of diverse groups to obtain housing facilities ‐‐ from
slum dwellers, low income and middle income earners and professionals amongst others and covers both urban and
rural populations.
Mr. Withana mentioned that the Janasevana programme has been developed based on the Government’s
Development Policy “Mahinda Chinathana” which envisages a house for each Sri Lankan family. The Programme aims
to address the current housing need in Sri Lanka which is currently estimated at 663,069 new houses and 866,963
houses needing repairs.
Conference Proceedings – National Housing Symposium 16