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Helping
Thais improve their standard of living
The National Housing Authority (NHA) was formed on 12 February
1973 as a state enterprise, originally under the supervision
of the Ministry of Interior. Now under the Ministry of Social
Development and Human Security, the NHA currently plays
a significant role in developing and providing low-income
housing to Thais, under the guidance of strategic government
policies. This enables a better quality of life for large
numbers of Thai people.
Over the past 31 years, the NHA has been committed
to developing housing and enhancing individual lives
and whole communities throughout the kingdom.
By May 2004, the NHA had already developed a total
of 436,503 housing units. This was made possible by
such projects as: the Housing Estate in the Bangkok
Metropolis and its vicinity; Slum Improvement; Government
Personnel Housing; Special and Community Service;
and Flood Victim Assistance projects. As much as 70.3
per cent comprise projects in the Bangkok Metropolis
and its vicinity, while 29.7 per cent cover other
areas.
Human resource development and improving the living
standards of the Thai people are also a responsibility
of the NHA. To this end, it has teamed up with government
agencies to initiate the White Community project.
Here the aim is to raise awareness of drug problems
among Thai youths and their guardians.
The activities include 118 training courses for leaders
of the communities and guardians and 37 youth education
classes. The project serves a total of 22,580 people.
In addition, 120 sports centres have been constructed
in the communities.
Baan Eua-Arthorn –
From dream to reality
In line with the government’s policy to encourage
staff from the public sector and other Thai people
to purchase their own homes, the NHA was assigned
to supervise the Baan Eua-Arthorn
low-cost housing project. The NHA has also collaborated
with other enterprises to make this project more effective.
The project is expected to involve the construction
of 600,000 housing units from 2003-2007, with a total
budget of 293,432 million baht. As much as 38,720
million baht is being contributed by the government,
while 241,012 million baht will be sourced from loans.
The project has been divided into three phases which
have already been presented to the cabinet for approval.
• Phase
1 – 4,175 units, with a total budget of 1,549.248
million baht. One hundred and twelve units were completed
by 12 August 2003 and another 365 units under the
Rangsit-Khlong Sam project were accomplished by 8
May 2004
• Phase 2 – 7,552 units, with a total budget of 3,070
million baht.Three projects, totalling 1,783 units
are under construction.
• Phase 3 – 140,000 units, with a total budget of
66,404 million baht, to be completed in 2004. Phase
3 is divided into two groups: Phase 3/1 with 20,000
units and Phase 3/2 with 120,000. As of June 2004,
auction for 37 projects, totalling 34,920 units, were
completed and already have contractors.
Via the Baan Eua-Arthorn low-cost housing project,
the NHA is able to provide a total of 81,485 homes.
However, the number of applicants for the homes exceeded
356,888 as
of May 2004, indicating that there may be considerable
potential for the project to be expanded.
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