MINIMUM STANDARDS

It is obvious that cost of construction is directly proportional to the area covered. In low cost housing economy in the construction is a vital factor, but one should not lose sight of the fact that any economies effected are not worth, if the minimum requirements of basic physical comfort in the dwellings are not met. In order to meet these twin requirements of economy and comfort, one has to depend to the maximum

extent on the cost effective construction technology to provide minimum standard accommodation.

APPROACH TO COST EFFECTIVE MASS HOUSING SCHEMES

The following steps are required to solve accute shortage of reasonable low cost houses:

1. Development of Sites: Government and government agencies should identify suitable sites for developing sites for low cost houses. The sites should be provided with water supply, sanitation, roads, street lighting and public transport facility. The area should be provided with shopping, education and health services to suit socio-economical, cultural and environmental conditions.

2. Financial Assistance: Poor people should be given financial assistance in the form of grant and cheap loan to build the low cost houses.

3. Construct Model Low Cost Houses: Few model low cost houses should be built to show the technology of building low cost houses.

4. Self Help Schemes: Low income people are capable of helping themselves in building shelter at acceptable cost. Self help housing programmes consists of motivating the beneficiaries,

extending technical know how and skilled worker required for some works.

5. Skeleton Housing: Technical know how for building skeleton of housing should be made known to beneficiary. They should be allowed to make certain changes and improvements in final finishing to suit their financial position and taste.