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

Technical Session 1: Housing Needs: Social Housing and Quality of Life
Social housing has been a major contributor to Sri Lanka’s housing stock during the last three decades. Social housing
programmes have a great significance to individuals, families, and communities, and to the entire country ‐‐ in terms
of better living, security and balancing the housing stock between the wealthy and the poor.
In spite of many social housing initiatives launched to date, it is estimated that one third of the households in the
country require either new houses or to upgrade their existing housing units. Moreover, the majority of the
underprivileged people are susceptible to this need. An extremely conservative estimate to meet the existing deficit
alone is estimated to be in the region of Rs. 300 Bn. In spite of successes of social housing programmes ‐‐ mainly
through direct provision of grants, it has now become clear that such programmes may not be adequate to meet the
scale of the housing need. Within this context, the symposium created an opportunity to look at new dimensions in
social housing in the changing economic environment and identify new indicators for social housing.
Professor Siripala Hettige, Senior Professor and Former Dean, Faculty of Arts and Department of Sociology of the
University of Colombo chaired the Technical Session 1. He stated that social housing is an extremely topical and
important subject to Sri Lanka as a large number of people are in “poverty housing” (inadequate housing). Social
housing is an important aspect in a developing country, as a majority of Sri Lankans are unable to afford a house
through normal market mechanisms due to numerous constraints. The inability to own an adequate house has a
direct impact on an individual and the lack of adequate housing also poses problems to a person’s overall quality of
life. Sri Lanka has initiated several programmes to find solutions to the housing problem.
He emphasised that it was important to consider the house, not simply as a structure with four walls, but within a
broader perspective which includes elements such as the environment, access to social infrastructure (i.e. schools,
transport); access to livelihoods and disaster‐resistance. It is also necessary to look at housing from a broader human
settlement perspective and ensure that houses are located within settlements rather than as separate, isolated units.
The access to social infrastructure, the environment it is located in, availability of amenities such as waste
management, water and sanitation facilities are important factors that need to be considered in a settlement.
Provision of housing should be looked at in a planned method where people should live within a community which
provides them with much needed support and where problems are solved collectively. Social housing programmes
should encourage private‐public partnerships and strengthen the community spirit.
The Government was identified as a key player in the provision of social housing in Sri Lanka. Professor Hettige
mentioned that the GOSL should be the main provider of land for social housing programmes as this aspect is not
within the purview of the private sector. Professionals such as architects and engineers also have an important role to
play in the construction of social housing schemes together with active public participation.
Professor Hettige further stated that the nature of social housing could vary depending on the location and the needs
of the beneficiaries. For instance, where land is in short supply, community housing consisting of walk up apartment
blocks (five floors) with external social infrastructure such as parks, community centres, recreation areas, day care
facilities for children. But where land is not an issue, individual houses with adequate space for home gardening can
be the most appropriate option. Social housing should also be considered as an investment in human development
and social protection, not just shelter for the homeless.
Conference Proceedings – National Housing Symposium 5