Thiruvananthapuram: A group of people led by a priest of the Capuchin order in the Catholic Church has built cabin houses for economically backward families who lost their houses in the floods in Idukki.
The cost of a single bedroom house with kitchen, toilet, sit-out and bathroom is only Rs 1.5 lakh.
“Normally we build single bedroom houses. However, some families with more members need two-bedroom houses which would cost Rs 2 lakh,” Fr Jijo Kurian, who is behind the project, told Deccan Chronicle.
“The money for the project was raised through Facebook friends. For those who did not have land, houses were built in three cents donated by philanthropists,” said Fr Kurian.
“We have built 13 houses in Vazhathoppu, Mariyapuram, Kanjikuzhi and Arakulam panchayats. Most of those from economically backward families have their land in areas near abandoned hydro-electric projects or in areas where land surveys have not been completed. As per norms fixed for the distribution of compensation for flood victims in Idukki district, the families must have title deeds for the land. As a result, it was difficult to get building permits for permanent concrete houses. On the other hand, log houses have a life of at least ten years,” he said.
One house each was constructed with the financial support of charity organisations based in the United States and Britain.
Priority was given for unwed mothers and elderly couples who were not supported by their children, he said.
