Department of Housing (Kerala)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- K. Rajan, Minister for Housing
- Rajamanickam IAS, Secretary to Government
- A. Geetha IAS, Housing Commissioner
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| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Kerala, India |
| Headquarters | Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Minister responsible |
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| Department executives |
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| Parent department | Government of Kerala |
| Child agencies |
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| Website | housing |
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.
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]