A Policy for Secure, Livable, and Dignified Housing in Colombo
Far too many families in Colombo live in unsafe flats or vulnerable settlements, with limited access to clean water, sanitation, or structural stability. Safe Roofs, Strong Roots addresses this by upgrading existing housing, ensuring fair relocation for high-risk areas, and launching a digital registry for transparent access. It’s a plan to restore dignity and security to every home in the city.
Main Stakeholders
- Urban Development Authority
- Colombo Municipal Council
- National Housing Development Authority
- Private developers and contractors
- Condominium Management Authority
Current Housing Conditions
- A significant portion of Colombo’s population lives in underserved settlements, many without access to basic sanitation or secure housing.
- Some live in areas marked for development or subject to flood.
- Many lack legal ownership, making them vulnerable to eviction.
- Public housing flats are overcrowded and poorly maintained.
- New housing schemes often built far from schools, jobs, and services.
What We Have Now
- Families in informal settlements live in fear of eviction or flooding.
- Poor access to water, sanitation, and waste collection.
- Broken-down public housing blocks with no maintenance budget.
- Long waiting lists for new housing allocations.
- Gaps in coordination between agencies managing housing, land, and utilities.
- No city-wide policy on relocation or in-place housing upgrades.
What We Will Improve
- Create a public registry of informal households and housing conditions.
- Begin phased renovations of damaged public housing flats.
- Improve drainage, waste collection, and water access in existing settlements.
- Provide land tenure or occupancy rights to long-time residents.
- Establish clear guidelines for relocation that protect livelihoods and access to schools.
- Involve community members and residents in planning and decisions about their housing.
What We Will Build
- Launch Homes for Dignity Zones in each ward – in-place upgrades with proper toilets, roofing, and safety.
- Partner with the private sector for mixed-income housing with protected units for low-income families.
- Establish Housing Help Desks in every municipal ward to assist with housing complaints and applications.
- Introduce Child-Safe Neighborhood Designs with proper lighting, play areas, and safe walkways.
- Construct Municipal Funeral Parlours and Reception Halls in key neighbourhoods to offer dignified, affordable spaces for families — a currently neglected need in low-income areas.
Making the System Transparent & Accountable
- Public database of all government housing projects and maintenance status.
- Monthly updates on housing upgrades, new builds, and pending issues.
- Citizen access to housing plans and budgets.
- Annual Housing Report published by the Mayor’s Office.