A total of 5,000 houses constructed with government assistance are scheduled to be handed over to the public tomorrow (5 October) to mark World Habitat Day, according to Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. H.M. Susil Ranasinghe.

Addressing a media briefing held at the Department of Government Information, the Minister stated that this year’s national World Habitat Day celebrations will take place under the theme “A Safe Home for All,” with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participating as the chief guest. In conjunction with the main event, a nationwide Habitat Week will also be conducted.

Dr. Ranasinghe noted that the government has set a target to construct 30,000 houses by 31 December as part of its broader objective to ensure a safe home for every citizen. He emphasised that low-income families will be given priority during allocation, adding that each fully equipped 550-square-foot home is being built with community participation.

Under the programme, families in the Northern and Eastern provinces who lost their residences due to the war will receive support, with the government allocating Rs. 2 million for each house. Furthermore, Rs. 1.5 million will be provided per home under the “Yathiwara Ma Piya” initiative, while Rs. 2 million will be allocated for each safe home constructed for children in institutional care. Additionally, families whose homes were completely destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah will be granted Rs. 5 million each.

The Minister also outlined dedicated financial support mechanisms, including an allocation of Rs. 500 million for housing loans for government employees, where the state will cover four percentage points of the charged interest. Meanwhile, migrant workers will be eligible to secure bank loans of up to Rs. 10 million at an interest rate of 15 per cent, with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment providing subsidies towards a portion of the interest.