2,500 urban housing units for low-income families by 2026 under Colombo Revitalization Programme

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Feb. 17 (Daily Mirror) - The Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, announced that 2,500 urban housing units will be provided to low-income and permanently homeless families by 2026 under the Colombo Urban Revitalization Partnership Programme.

He made the remarks during a field inspection of the ‘Stadiumgama’ housing complex, currently under construction on Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha in Colombo 14, yesterday (16).

Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister highlighted that urban housing projects must go beyond simply providing buildings. “When handing over a house, it should not merely be a building, but a fully habitable settlement. We examined whether aspects such as safety, social needs, comfort, and convenience could be improved prior to occupancy,” he said.

He added that three housing schemes are scheduled to be handed over this year, with plans to provide 7,000 new urban housing units in Colombo over the next two years.

Deputy Minister Gunasekara emphasized that maintaining proper housing is not merely a legal matter, noting that residents tend to behave more responsibly when adequate facilities are provided. He also pointed out that families transitioning from independent living to apartment complexes need to adapt to communal rules and regulations, and that addressing residents’ concerns is key to delivering efficient and quality services.

He further stated that steps would be taken to amend existing regulations where necessary, with a focus on prioritizing the social needs of residents.