Kerala plans a first of its kind housing project

The Kerala government is planning to provide independent homes to the people facing difficult situations in life under the initiative of LIFE (livelihood inclusion and financial empowerment) Housing Mission initiative. Through this scheme, the government aims to ensure social inclusiveness in housing schemes. It has already identified 91,407 persons as beneficiaries. Along with the normal beneficiaries, the government has chosen such people who are affected by any of the eight difficult factors that include mental disability and physical disability. The beneficiaries include transgender persons, unwed mothers and HIV+ persons. Houses will also be provided to those who are mentally ill, disabled, seriously-ill, widows and those who have been deprived of livelihood following serious accidents. Local Self Government (LSG) Minister K T Jaleel said that this is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country which specifically focuses on eight difficult factors and it will reflect a transitional phase in our society. LIFE Housing Mission CEO Adeela Abdulla said that no distinction will be made on the basis of caste, disease or identity and beneficiaries chosen under 'difficult factors' will reside along with other normal beneficiaries. There are also plans to empower the needy inhabitants with proper training by setting up teams for skill and sustenance development.