Kishore121: starting the info w/ refs.

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starting the info w/ refs.

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{{Short description|Government Department of Kerala, India}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Department of Housing
| type = Department
| logo = Government of Kerala Logo.svg
| logo_width = 120px
| jurisdiction = Kerala, India
| headquarters = [[Kerala Government Secretariat|Secretariat]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| minister1_name = [[K. Rajan (politician)|K. Rajan]]
| minister1_pfo = Minister for Housing
| chief1_name = Rajamanickam IAS
| chief1_position = Secretary to Government
| chief2_name = A. Geetha IAS
| chief2_position = Housing Commissioner
| parent_department = [[Government of Kerala]]
| child1_agency = [[Kerala State Housing Board]]
| child2_agency = Housing (Technical Cell) Department
| website = {{URL|https://housing.kerala.gov.in}}
}}

The '''Department of Housing''' is an administrative department of the [[Government of Kerala]] responsible for formulating and implementing [[Housing in India|housing policies]] and programmes in the state.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-11 |title=Kerala to get new housing policy soon, says Minister for Revenue and Housing K. Rajan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-to-get-new-housing-policy-soon-says-minister-for-revenue-and-housing-k-rajan/article67404750.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-13 |title=Kerala Cabinet Clears Bill To Protect Right To Housing; Approves Bill To Sandalwood Felling On Private Land |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!state/kerala-cabinet-clears-bill-to-protect-right-to-housing-and-approves-bill-to-sandalwood-felling-on-private-land-enn25091311397 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-23 |title=KSHB unveils two projects in Kochi; State to have new housing policy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kshb-unveils-two-projects-in-kochi-state-to-have-new-housing-policy/article68786795.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

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<ref name="RoBKerala">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4) |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |website=General Administration Department, Government of Kerala |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>
* Implementation of state-sponsored housing schemes<ref name="RoBKerala">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4) |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |website=General Administration Department, Government of Kerala |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>
* Coordination with central government housing programmes<ref name="RoBKerala">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4) |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |website=General Administration Department, Government of Kerala |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>
* Slum development and rehabilitation<ref name="RoBKerala">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4) |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |website=General Administration Department, Government of Kerala |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>
* Promotion of affordable and sustainable housing<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETRealty.com |title=Kerala government launches campaign to provide housing for landless poor |url=https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/kerala-government-launches-campaign-to-provide-housing-for-landless-poor/88630085 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=ETRealty.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Oversight of housing-related institutions and agencies<ref name="RoBKerala">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4) |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |website=General Administration Department, Government of Kerala |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>
* Rent control
* All policy matters relating to housing development in general including house site development -Nodal department for all housing schemes.<ref name="RoBKerala">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II First Schedule (See Rule 4) |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |website=General Administration Department, Government of Kerala |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>

== Ministerial team ==
The Department of Housing is headed by a [[Cabinet Minister]] of the [[Government of Kerala]]. The incumbent Housing Minister is [[K. Rajan (politician)|K. Rajan]].<ref>https://kshb.kerala.gov.in/en/department-minister-2/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Two locations finalised to construct township for Wayanad landslides survivors: Kerala Housing Minister |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/two-locations-finalised-to-construct-township-for-wayanad-landslides-survivors-kerala-housing-minister-3170923 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="KSHBVisionMission">{{Cite web |title=Vision and Mission – Kerala State Housing Board |url=https://kshb.kerala.gov.in/en/about-the-board/ |website=Kerala State Housing Board |access-date=2025-12-01 |language=en}}</ref> It is responsible for planning, designing and executing housing projects across the state, including group housing schemes, rental housing and infrastructure development.<ref name="HousingTechnicalCell">{{Cite web |title=Housing Technical Cell Department – Kerala |url=https://hsgtechdept.kerala.gov.in/ |website=Housing (Technical Cell) Department, Government of Kerala |access-date=2025-12-01 |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="LIFEMissionLSGD">{{Cite web |title=LIFE Mission – Local Self Government Department, Kerala |url=https://lsgd.kerala.gov.in/en/priority-projects-initiatives/life/ |website=Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala |access-date=2025-12-01 |language=en}}</ref>

LIFE Mission focuses on ensuring housing with basic amenities such as sanitation, drinking water and electricity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=സമ്പൂര്‍ണ്ണ പാര്‍പ്പിട സുരക്ഷാ പദ്ധതി {{!}} ലൈഫ് മിഷന്‍ |url=https://lifemission.kerala.gov.in/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251111174321/https://lifemission.kerala.gov.in/ |archive-date=2025-11-11 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=lifemission.kerala.gov.in |language=ml}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us – Nirmithi |url=https://statenirmithi.kerala.gov.in/objectives/ |access-date=2025-12-30 |language=en-GB}}</ref> It is headed by a Director, appointed by the government.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-10 |title=Wayanad Nirmithi Kendra sets a model |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/wayanad-nirmithi-kendra-sets-a-model/article28364372.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== 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<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017">{{Cite web |title=Thirteenth Five‑Year Plan (2017‑2022): Working Group on Housing – Report |url=https://spb.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/inline-files/Housing_wg.pdf |website=Kerala State Planning Board |publisher=Government of Kerala |format=PDF |access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-09 |title=LIFE Mission an unparalleled project, says Minister |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/life-mission-an-unparalleled-project-says-minister/article69081341.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-02-24 |title=3.75 lakh Life Mission houses completed in Kerala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/375-lakh-life-mission-houses-completed-in-kerala/article67882005.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* [[Kudumbashree]] Housing Schemes – Slum improvement and urban poverty housing projects<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kudumbashree {{!}} PMAY(U) |url=https://www.kudumbashree.org/pages/143 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.kudumbashree.org}}</ref>
* [[Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission]] – Urban housing and infrastructure programme, including Basic Services for Urban Poor and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/>
* Basic Services for Urban Poor – Housing and basic services for urban poor<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-05 |title=40 families get keys to flats in Corporation’s newly built apartment complex at Karimadom Colony |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/40-families-get-keys-to-flats-in-corporations-newly-built-apartment-complex-at-karimadom-colony/article66227119.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme – Housing and infrastructure for slums and small towns<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme {{!}} Local Self Government Department |url=https://lsgkerala.gov.in/en/schemes/ihsdp |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251026163226/https://lsgkerala.gov.in/en/schemes/ihsdp |archive-date=2025-10-26 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=lsgkerala.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Indira Awaas Yojana]] – Rural housing for BPL{{clarify|reason=What is BPL?|date=December 2025}} families
* Fisheries Department Housing Schemes – Housing and repair for fishermen families<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/>
* Innovative Housing Scheme for Urban Poor – Rental housing for low-income and migrant workers<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/>
* Saphalyam Housing Scheme – Flats for landless and houseless families<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title='Saphalyam' to Provide Abodes for the Poor |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2014/Jun/06/saphalyam-to-provide-abodes-for-the-poor-621848.html |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* Grihasree Housing Scheme – Financial assistance for [[Economically Weaker Section]]/LIG{{clarify|reason=What is LIG?|date=December 2025}} house construction<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=2025-02-07 |title=Kerala Budget 2025: housing a major thrust area with new cooperative housing project for middle class |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-budget-2025-housing-a-major-thrust-area-with-new-cooperative-housing-project-for-middle-class/article69191730.ece |access-date=2025-12-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* One Lakh Housing Reconstruction Scheme – Reconstruction of houses under the previous One Lakh Housing Scheme<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/>
* Sainik Welfare Housing Scheme – Grants for ex-servicemen, war widows, and dependents<ref name="KSPBHousingWG2017"/>

== See also ==
* [[Government of Kerala]]
* [[Kerala State Housing Board]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Government of Kerala]]
[[Category: Government departments of Kerala]]

Department of Housing (Kerala) - Revision history

Kishore121: starting the info w/ refs.