The Bihar government has established an ambitious objective to eliminate homelessness in the state by the year 2030. To realize this aim, the government is allocating land to families without property, enabling them to construct their own homes. This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), which has successfully assisted millions of impoverished families in rural regions in obtaining permanent housing over the past decade. According to the Rural Development Department’s data, 39,14,547 disadvantaged families in Bihar have been provided with permanent homes in the last ten years, at a cost exceeding Rs 53,949 crore.
Each beneficiary receives Rs 1,54,000 to assist in building their house, which includes Rs 1,20,000 for construction, Rs 22,050 for wages under MNREGA for 90 days, and Rs 12,000 for toilet construction. To qualify for the scheme, a family must possess a minimum of 25 square meters of land. The most significant progress occurred between the financial years 2016–17 and 2021–22, during which 37.58 lakh families were authorized for housing construction, surpassing the official target of 37.11 lakh. Subsequent inspections confirmed that 36.67 lakh houses were successfully completed. Officials report that these homes have not only provided shelter but also enhanced living conditions and social security for rural households.
The second phase of the initiative, covering the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26, is also advancing effectively. Of the target of 12,21,605 houses, approvals for 12,74,067 houses have already been granted. The government has disbursed the first installment to 11,35,902 beneficiaries, the second to 7,47,352, and the third to 3,26,897. To date, 2,46,986 families have finished constructing their homes. Overall, the last decade has shown consistent progress in providing housing to the rural poor, and the government is confident that achieving the goal of a homelessness-free Bihar by 2030 is within reach. By providing both land and financial assistance, the initiative seeks to ensure that every family in the state has a secure and permanent residence.
