More than 180 families will be able to occupy affordable apartments in Trashi Yangtse, Samdrup Jongkhar and Pema Gashel once the National Housing and Development Corporation, NHDCL completes the construction of its housing units in the three districts by the end of next year. The constructions are part of the corporation’s ongoing project to build over 1,000 units spending over Nu 3bn funded by the Asian Development Bank.
A 2022 survey conducted by the erstwhile Ministry of Works and Human Settlement and the NHDCL on demand in the housing market, found that Thimphu residents spend around 43 per cent of their total salary on rent, which is considered high by international standards.
The National Housing Policy of Bhutan says for affordable housing, a person should be paying less than 30 per cent of monthly household income as rent.
However, it is observed that over 65 per cent of urban households live in rental units where rental housing costs more than 30 per cent of the household income.
To ease this burden, the NHDCL is constructing housing units in various districts to meet the housing demands, especially among the low-income group.
“Construction of 32 housing units in Trashi Yangtse is 60 per cent complete. 32 units in Samdrup Jongkhar Draduel Thang is 45 per cent complete. 88 units in Samdrup Jongkhar Toe is 20 per cent complete and construction of 32 units in Nganglam is 20 per cent complete,” said Tandin Dorji, project director at NHDCL.
Additionally, district administrations of Samtse and Chukha have also requested for the construction of housing units while Pema Gatshel has asked for additional units. He also said around 140 units will be constructed in Samtse, Chukha and Pema Gatshel for people in the low-income group.
“Samtse has an industrial estate and the housing demand is high. So, we are planning to construct around 60 housing units for low-income groups. Most of the people in the low-income group live in the Chhukha Hydro Plant housing colony, which has turned old, and it is unsafe for the residents there. The district administration has requested for the construction of around 48 units. We have also allocated a budget for the construction of 30 units in Pema Gatshel as well,” added the project director.
The housing market survey also showed more demand for affordable houses among the low-income group in Phuentshogling Thromde. The NHDCL said it will start constructing around 390 units in three different areas in Phuentshogling this year.
There are also plans to construct around 110 units in seven locations in Thimphu. All housing units in Thimphu and Phuentshogling are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The NHDCL said among the low-income group, households led by women and disabled persons will be given preference to occupy its apartments in various districts.
NHDCL’s housing units are 50 per cent cheaper than the market rate according to the project director.
Currently, over 3,000 applicants are waiting to occupy NHDCL’s housing units across the country. Units are rented out only when they become vacant.
Tashi Chezom
Edited by Kipchu
