Housing loans worth 18 million from NHDA

by Hansika Ranaweera

National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) has issued loans worth over Rs. 18 million to the needy families to put up decent houses under the Gama Neguma program in Kandy District last year, an official said at the NHDA.

For this year (2007) applicant's monthly income should be less than Rs.20,000.

Under "Gama Naguma" the Kandy district NHDA has targeted to issue loans to 390 applicants. NHDA has already issued Rs. 12.96 million and in addition, they are expecting to grant loans to others.

Allocations have been made in the following District Secretarial Divisions in the Kandy District: Minipe, Ududumbara, Medadumbara, Hatharaliyadda, Harispattuwa, Kundasale, Akurane, Yatinuwara, Delthota, Pathahewaheta, Gangaihala, Udunuwara, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Galagedara, Pujapitiya and Pasbage.

In addition, NHDA has commenced a housing program in Tea Estates from the middle of 2007. They have programmes to give loans and as well as grants for the loan applicants. Allocation of issued loans are sent through the estate's welfare society in a co-operative system.

NHDA issues loans and grants in two categories as Special programs and Normal programs. According to the special programs, they are paying Rs. 200,000 as a loan and Rs. 175,000 as a grant. According to the normal program, they are paying Rs. 100,000 as loan and 125,000 as a grant. They are not supporting not only the financial side but also the development of infrastructure facilities.

For the year 2007, they have targeted to complete 203 new houses in several estates in the Kandy district. The estimated amount is Rs. 184 million for the above constructions. In addition, they have targeted to build up to 501 houses, which will be continued from the last year. For this, they have estimated Rs. 89 million. They have already issued Rs. 16 million for a new housing program.

In the Kandy district, NHDA has programmed to issue 220 loans for 2008 to build new houses. They have estimated Rs. 2,200,000 with Rs. 100,000 for each. They expect to commence this new housing program as a housing scheme project. They have already found land in Pathahewaheta, Doluwa and Pasbage.

Nine hundred houses, have already been started and will be completed next year. NHDA has estimated Rs. 315,000. They expect to cover this project by 3 terms in 4 months. The Ministry of Housing and Common Facilities has ordered to build new 45 houses out of 220 housing projects and 180 houses out of 900 houses within the first four months.

For the year, 2008 the new estate housing program will build 503 new houses. In addition, they are expecting to finish 582 houses in April 2008. The estimated amount is Rs. 201.30 million. The estate-housing program will be continuing in the following District Secretarial Divisions in the Kandy district. Panvila, Doluwa, Pasbage, Udapalatha, Pathadumbara, Hanguranketha, Delthota, Medadumbara, Gangaihala, Gangawata, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara.