Myanmar is an agro-based nation and most of the populations reside in rural areas.

Most of the dwellings are usually build with local materials such as wood, bamboo and thatch:

The government is embarking to help the rural populace to upgrade their dwellings better from bamboo, nepa palm and thatch ones.

The Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs is implementing rural areas development programs including low-cost single unit houses.

Low-cost housing models were selected depending on local conditions and financing. The government makes wood and corrugated iron sheets available at modest prices, while the township development committees supervise the actual implementation.

Total expense will be about 400,000 kyats for one unit with the floor area 480 sq ft or 24x20 ft by 8 ft high. The cost is modest comparing with current price. As the government sell 6 tons of wood and 75 corrugated iron sheets for each single unit house.

U Kyaw Lwin, Paungtale village, Pyay Township in Bago Division said “My family has four members. We had rented a house and lived for some 15 or 16 years. After saving money, we’ve bought this land but we can’t afford to build a house. Fortunately, with the assistance of government, we now own a low-cost housing unit, costing only 400,000 ks. This house is good enough to stand the weather and I feel relief for my family’s future.”

The house has verandah, shrine room, sitting room, bed room and kitchen. It is live-able and durable to stand the weather so it is indeed a happy world for a family.

Daw Myint, Tagundaing village, Nattalin township, Bago Division said “My name is Daw Myint and my hasband is U Kyaw Than. We’re farmers and we live in a rented house. But we now own a new low-cost housing unit and were very grateful to the government for this opportunity.”

The government is implementing 5 development programs for rural areas where majority of the population resides. These programs are better transportation, water supply, education, health and economic development as well as rural housing development projects.

Food, clothing and shelter are basic requirements for human beings to survive. Similarly, what matters most in life is to own a house with its land plot for social security. It’s really precious for every family. The house itself shows the living standard of house owner and its durability, cleanliness and pleasant environment enhance the family’s pride. Four-member family is living at this cozy little house with joy and comfort.

U Myint Oo, Titut village, Pyay Township, Bago Division said “We four-me, my wife, my son and daughter lived together with my parents. We desperately wanted to live, on our own but we didn’t have enough money. Luckly we’ve got a chance to own a new house with the cost of only 480,000 ks, thanks to the government.”

As the saying goes “Home Sweet Home”, it’s indeed happiness for every rural family able to live together at their dwelling rest, low-cost single unit house. Because of the government’s sincere goodwill, socio-economic life of simple and hardworking rural people will be improved according to 5 rural areas development programs.