Department of Housing (Kerala)

Department of Housing
Department overview
JurisdictionKerala, India
HeadquartersSecretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
Minister responsible
Department executives
  • Rajamanickam IAS, Secretary to Government
  • A. Geetha IAS, Housing Commissioner
Parent departmentGovernment of Kerala
Child agencies
Websitehousing.kerala.gov.in

The Department of Housing is an administrative department of the Government of Kerala responsible for formulating and implementing housing policies and programmes in the state.[1][2][3]

The headquarters of the department is located at the Kerala Government Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

History

The establishment of the Kerala State Housing Board marked a major step in planned housing development. In later years, large-scale mission-mode initiatives were introduced to address homelessness and inadequate housing conditions across rural and urban areas.

Functions

The Department of Housing is entrusted with the following responsibilities:

  • Formulation of housing policies and regulatory frameworks[4]
  • Implementation of state-sponsored housing schemes[4]
  • Coordination with central government housing programmes[4]
  • Slum development and rehabilitation[4]
  • Promotion of affordable and sustainable housing[5]
  • Oversight of housing-related institutions and agencies[4]
  • Rent control
  • All policy matters relating to housing development in general including house site development -Nodal department for all housing schemes.[4]

Ministerial team

The Department of Housing is headed by a Cabinet Minister of the Government of Kerala. The incumbent Housing Minister is K. Rajan.[6][7]

The administrative head of the department is Secretary to Government (Housing), an officer of the Indian Administrative Service, assisted by Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and other officials in the Secretariat.

The department functions in accordance with the Rules of Business of the Government of Kerala.

Agencies

Kerala State Housing Board

The Kerala State Housing Board is a statutory body functioning under the Housing Department.[8] It is responsible for planning, designing and executing housing projects across the state, including group housing schemes, rental housing and infrastructure development.[9]

The board implements housing projects for various income groups and also undertakes redevelopment and rehabilitation projects.

LIFE Mission]

The Livelihood, Inclusion and Financial Empowerment (LIFE) Mission is a flagship housing programme of the Government of Kerala aimed at providing free houses to landless and homeless families. Operating under the Department of Housing, the mission integrates resources from state, central and local governments.[10]

LIFE Mission focuses on ensuring housing with basic amenities such as sanitation, drinking water and electricity.[11]

Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra

The Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra (KSNK) is an autonomous agency under the Housing Department, Government of Kerala, promoting cost-effective and sustainable building technologies through technical support and consultancy across the state.[12] It is headed by a Director, appointed by the government.[13]

Housing schemes

Major housing schemes implemented or coordinated by the department include:

  • LIFE Mission Housing Scheme
  • State-sponsored affordable housing projects
  • Centrally assisted housing programmes
  • Slum rehabilitation and redevelopment schemes

State sponsored schemes

  • LIFE Mission – Houses for landless and homeless families[14][15][16]
  • Kudumbashree Housing Schemes – Slum improvement and urban poverty housing projects[14][17]
  • Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission – Urban housing and infrastructure programme, including Basic Services for Urban Poor and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme[14]
  • Basic Services for Urban Poor – Housing and basic services for urban poor[14][18]
  • Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme – Housing and infrastructure for slums and small towns[14][19]
  • Indira Awaas Yojana – Rural housing for BPL families
  • Fisheries Department Housing Schemes – Housing and repair for fishermen families[14]
  • Innovative Housing Scheme for Urban Poor – Rental housing for low-income and migrant workers[14]
  • Saphalyam Housing Scheme – Flats for landless and houseless families[14][20]
  • Grihasree Housing Scheme – Financial assistance for Economically Weaker Section/LIG house construction[14][21]
  • One Lakh Housing Reconstruction Scheme – Reconstruction of houses under the previous One Lakh Housing Scheme[14]
  • Sainik Welfare Housing Scheme – Grants for ex-servicemen, war widows, and dependents[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Kerala to get new housing policy soon, says Minister for Revenue and Housing K. Rajan". The Hindu. 2023-10-11. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  2. ^ "Kerala Cabinet Clears Bill To Protect Right To Housing; Approves Bill To Sandalwood Felling On Private Land". ETV Bharat News. 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  3. ^ "KSHB unveils two projects in Kochi; State to have new housing policy". The Hindu. 2024-10-23. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4)" (PDF). General Administration Department, Government of Kerala. Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  5. ^ www.ETRealty.com. "Kerala government launches campaign to provide housing for landless poor". ETRealty.com. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  6. ^ https://kshb.kerala.gov.in/en/department-minister-2/
  7. ^ "Two locations finalised to construct township for Wayanad landslides survivors: Kerala Housing Minister". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  8. ^ "Vision and Mission – Kerala State Housing Board". Kerala State Housing Board. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  9. ^ "Housing Technical Cell Department – Kerala". Housing (Technical Cell) Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  10. ^ "LIFE Mission – Local Self Government Department, Kerala". Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  11. ^ "സമ്പൂര്‍ണ്ണ പാര്‍പ്പിട സുരക്ഷാ പദ്ധതി | ലൈഫ് മിഷന്‍". lifemission.kerala.gov.in (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2025-11-11. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  12. ^ "About Us – Nirmithi". Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  13. ^ "Wayanad Nirmithi Kendra sets a model". The Hindu. 2019-07-10. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Thirteenth Five‑Year Plan (2017‑2022): Working Group on Housing – Report" (PDF). Kerala State Planning Board. Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  15. ^ "LIFE Mission an unparalleled project, says Minister". The Hindu. 2025-01-09. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  16. ^ "3.75 lakh Life Mission houses completed in Kerala". The Hindu. 2024-02-24. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  17. ^ "Kudumbashree | PMAY(U)". www.kudumbashree.org. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  18. ^ "40 families get keys to flats in Corporation's newly built apartment complex at Karimadom Colony". The Hindu. 2022-12-05. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  19. ^ "Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme | Local Self Government Department". lsgkerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2025-10-26. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  20. ^ "'Saphalyam' to Provide Abodes for the Poor". The New Indian Express. 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  21. ^ Praveen, S. R. (2025-02-07). "Kerala Budget 2025: housing a major thrust area with new cooperative housing project for middle class". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
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