People leaving institutional care will receive housing assistance of up to Rs. 2 million under a government programme aimed at helping them establish permanent and secure homes after entering society, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said.
The first phase of the “Diviyata Saviyak” housing assistance programme will be launched on Sept. 17 at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Paulraj announced the programme on Monday (14) at a special media briefing at the Government Information Department.
The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services using funds allocated under the 2026 Budget.
The assistance will be available to eligible beneficiaries across the country and can be used to build a house, buy land, purchase a house, renovate an existing house or complete a partially constructed house.
Paulraj said the programme was introduced to address the difficulties faced by young people leaving institutional care after reaching 18, particularly those without a family support system or permanent accommodation.
Children in institutional care include orphans and abandoned children, those placed in institutions through court proceedings and children who have become victims of various crimes and criminal processes, she said.
Beneficiaries will be selected after assessing information obtained through Divisional Secretariats and Provincial Commissioners of Probation, with their present living conditions, housing situation and family background taken into consideration.
Those who are married and already have land registered in their name or their spouse’s name can use the assistance to construct a house on that land. Beneficiaries without land may receive assistance to purchase land.
The programme will also extend housing assistance to low-income families facing severe vulnerabilities, based on recommendations made by Divisional Secretaries, Paulraj said. (Newswire)
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