Housing scheme for urban poor
We appreciate the government's plans to provide 20,000 urban ultra-poor families with housing and loans. The Tk-826-crore project under the National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme prioritises urban areas that are under threat from climate change, driving migration towards cities.
However, according to the budget proposal, only 5,000 families will each be given a two-room flat for free, while the rest of the families will be provided with interest-free loans. We, therefore, wonder how these ultra-poor families will be able to reimburse the loans because it's not clear whether the government will facilitate any income generating schemes for them.
Urban poverty should be a cause for concern for the government. Over the years, due to climate change, rising inequality and other factors, many from coastal and rural areas have migrated to Dhaka and other major cities in search of better livelihoods. It is, therefore, heartening that the government begins to address the issue. What may turn out to be challenging to address, however, is transparency. It's not unusual for politically influential people to interfere in such projects. If this becomes the case, the intended beneficiaries may find themselves left out of the project.
If the agencies tasked with implementing the plan can carry out their jobs honestly and efficiently, more such projects should be replicated in more city corporations and municipalities.
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