Yangon to start low-cost housing project for squatters in next 3 months

By Nyein Nyein 

 

CONSTRUCTION of low-cost housing for squatters is expected to start within the next three months, said Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein at a media conference following a meeting of the Yangon Region Investment Committee on 26 June.

 

“We plan to start construction work in the next three months. For the time being, preparations are being made for the project,” said U Phyo Min Thein.

 

“The housing project for unregistered citizens will be conducted by the regional government in partnership with private organizations on state-managed land. The government plans to sell the units to squatters, and those who face accommodation difficulties such as low-income families and pensioners who do not own homes. They will be granted loans to pay for the apartments in instalments. Squatters residing in the units will not be allowed to sell or rent out their apartments,” he said.

 

“A feasibility study on the project has been conducted and workshops have been organized in order to start the project as soon as possible. These are important steps to ensure the project is implemented in a systematic manner. The authorities would like unregistered residents to move into the apartments voluntarily,” he added.

 

“Under the plan, the apartments will be 18 feet wide and 35 feet long. Priority will be given to those who actually need a stable place to live for the first phase,” said the Chief Minister.

 

As part of efforts to implement a resettlement plan for squatters, the regional government had conducted a population survey with the support of civil society organizations. As per the survey, there are over 100,000 squatters across Yangon Region. While 70 per cent of the squatters in the region have smart ID cards, the rest do not have smart cards, the survey showed. 

 

(Translated by Khaing Thanda Lwin)