Abstract:
The main aim of this study is to explore the housing related issues in the Batticaloa city and
provide a strategic approach to improve the poor housing settlements. Primary and secondary
data were used in this study. The primary data were collected through questionnaire and focus
group interviews. Low income families living in huts (814) were selected from 10 GN Divisions
(GNDs) out of 48 GNDs to carryout this study.The study revealed that there are 17,770 permanent
houses which do not need further improvement and 2,770 semi permanent houses which need
some further improvement. In addition to this, 6,518 own land temporary houses and 1,819
unauthorized temporary houses were identified in the city. The study also reveals that more than
75% of low income families have used tin sheet and cadjan for roofing. 90.17% of walls of houses
were built by cadjan, wood and tin sheet. Approximately 45.58% of houses are made with cement
floor while 54.06% of houses’ floor were seemed sand and cow dung. Moreover, 35% of low
income families do not have well. More than 58.23% of low income families do not have toilet
facility as their own and 81% of low income households do not have electricity connections in
their houses. The study also reported that there are many barriers to the settlement improvement
in these houses such as lack of homogeneous housing policy, poor involvement of community
based organizations, lack of extended municipal services, lack of livelihood support services, etc.
Further, strategies, to formulate a city shelter development centre at the municipality level,
strengthening of rural development societies, secure tenure of housing, upgrading of infrastructure,
livelihood support for poverty reduction and improving of service of BMC are recommended to
improve the housing settlements in Batticaloa city. Findings of this study will help to develop urban housing settlements and plan poverty alleviation in the Batticaloa city.
