While our nation’s economic growth in the past decade has certainly been impressive by any measure, the extent of that growth’s reach has been severely limited. Our capital city might have more high rise buildings and infrastructural amenities than at any other point in our history, but if a large swathe of our population still finds itself without shelter or anything in the way of assets then our growth is anything but equitable.
To that end, the recent announcement that 11 more districts in Bangladesh now have no one without land or a home is certainly welcome news. In total, there are now 32 districts which follow this pattern under the Ashrayan Project.
This is an incredibly commendable initiative.
The prioritization of housing in the country is always welcome news as each and every citizen deserves a roof over their head. However, what is especially commendable of the Ashrayan program is that the housing provided are not temporary domiciles but permanent residences with access to fundamentals such as running water, electricity, and sanitation facilities, prioritizing some of the most vulnerable groups in our society such as women, children, and the elderly.
While initiatives such as Ashrayan are more than welcome, the government must also take into account the lack of any comprehensive housing plans in our more developed regions such as our capital. Far too many people often have to resort to living in slums under conditions that not only pose a threat to their health but their overall safety as well, not to mention the constant fear of having everything they own be razed by fires. Our cities need multi-storied complexes with proper facilities as public housing for the low-income.