Indian Real Estate

Life Mission Kerala:Affordable Housing Scheme


17, January 2026

Hello everyone! Today we have come up with an article on “Life Mission Kerala: Affordable Housing Scheme” for you!

According to American novelist Wallace Stegner, “Home is a notion that only nations of the homeless fully appreciate and only the uprooted comprehend.” Having a home is a dream for many. More than owning proper housing, having a shelter to rest one’s head continues to be a concern for a majority of people even today. The government of Kerala came up with a solution to address these concerns of homeless Keralites.

The entire LIFE mission housing campaign works synonymously with various other schemes under Local Self Government like – EMS housing scheme, Indira Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Integrated housing and slum development programme and certain other schemes which include provisions for basic services for the urban poor and urban employment guarantee.

Life mission has visions to work on: the improvement of public infrastructure, overall efficiency in the utilisation of natural resources, giving importance to agricultural development and most importantly, ensuring affordable housing.

The LIFE Mission Kerala housing scheme comes under the Nava Kerala Mission, initiated in 2016 by the government of Kerala led by the chief-minister Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan. LIFE stands for Livelihood, Inclusion and Financial Empowerment. The scheme covers different districts of Kerala.

Now, who all does the scheme cover and what is its spectrum? What is the budget proposed, and how applications can be made to avail advantages of the scheme?

Let us go through some important pointers here!

1. Data review -

According to statistics given out by the Kerala government on the LIFE mission Kerala housing scheme as of September 2020, out of all the districts of Kerala – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kochi, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod, there are over 5,21,299 homeless people with the land and about 2,18,904 landless and homeless people. This differentiation underscores the need for tailored approaches and interventions to address these groups' varying needs and challenges.

2. Beneficiary selection -

  • Applications for the scheme are to be made by people who are either landless or homeless. Those who annually earn less than 3 lakhs can also take advantage of the scheme. This broad criterion expands the inclusion scope for those needing housing support.

  • The Kerala government has identified the beneficiaries of the project under two phases. According to the data assessed from the official site of the Government of Kerala, during the period, December 2017 to Feb 2021, around 52,000 houses were built under the phase one scheme. Nearly 80,000 houses were constructed under the phase two scheme. Phase three of the mission is also in progress, showing the continuous effort to address the housing needs of the eligible population.

  • The eligibility for them is dependent upon various criteria. Initially, the 2011 socio-economic survey acted as a base for beneficiary selection. Verification of the selected beneficiaries based on data collected from the survey is done by field officers. This is followed by the publication of chosen ones in either district level or panchayath level Government office.

  • Priorities are also particularly given to those families having transgenders, mentally challenged, differently-abled, widows and those who are having a long-term ailment or are severely diseased. This focused approach aims to help people most in need and vulnerable in society.

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3. Budget allocation -

  • About Rs.185 crore is set aside in the Kerala government budget of January 2021 alone to acquire land for destitute people belonging to the scheduled caste category. This allocation marks a strategic move to lay a stable groundwork for individuals facing urgent housing needs to empower and elevate the most vulnerable sections of our community. According to The Hindu, the finance mister of Kerala, Mr Thomas Isaac, has announced in January 2021 that Rs.1000 crores have been earmarked for the LIFE mission Kerala housing scheme in the budget.

  • However, the ambitious scale of the LIFE Mission Kerala housing scheme requires a significant influx of resources to achieve its triumphant execution. Further, Rs. 6000 crore has to be accounted to configure the LIFE mission scheme, as claimed by the ministry of Kerala. Money is intended to be borrowed from Kerala Rural and Urban Development Finance Corporation Ltd. to facilitate the sum, in addition to the share from local government institutions. It portrays a visionary step forward, embracing new financial approaches and working together collaboratively for a more equitable and prosperous future for all residents.

4. Kerala Life Mission Online registration: Application procedure –

Beneficiary application for the LIFE mission Kerala housing scheme can be made online through the official portal. Document submission relating to the scheme can also be made online. It is a simple procedure with a requirement of only a few numbers of documents, including identity proofs and income certificate. Once the applicants submit their documentation, the State authority conducts a verification process to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the applications.The beneficiaries are finalised after the verification of the application by the State authority.

5. Livelihood initiatives

The scheme intends to include provisions to provide means of livelihood for the beneficiaries along with housing. These initiatives are proposed so that it acts as a means for income generation. With the aim of accommodating marginalised people in the scheme, skilled development programmes, primary health care, a support system for the old etc., are also included.

Now that you know in brief about the coverage of the LIFE mission Kerala housing scheme, we will plunge into its plans and progress. This can be assessed in terms of work undergoing under the three phases of the LIFE scheme.

  1. According to governmental data, till July 31 2020, 52,289 houses that fall under phase 1 awaits completion and are expected to be fully executed in a shorter term.

  2. The second phase covers housing construction for homeless people having land. 80,028 houses are undergoing construction under this category as of July 2020.

  3. Phase three accounts for the housing of homeless, landless people. And dating to August 2020, 1,765 house construction are in progress under this phase.

The government of Kerala under CM Pinarayi Vijayan has proposed the mission and continue to execute the building of housing complexes under LIFE.

Rebuild the Kerala initiative is another important domain to which we would like to call your attention to. This scheme also vouches for the making of Nava (new) Kerala. Governmental data quotes about Rs 270 crores for projects coming under this mission. In some of these pilot housing projects, Pre-Fab technology is applied. Basically, the initiative emphasis on flood relief. Sustainable development is also given emphasis under the Rebuild Kerala mission.

Here's some of the recent updates:

1. House Tax Exemption:

In a welcome move for beneficiaries, the Kerala government has announced a tax exemption for houses built under the Life Mission scheme in December 2023. This tax relief applies to homes up to 645 square feet, providing financial relief to a sizable portion of homeowners. This initiative is a significant step towards making affordable housing even more accessible for Life Mission program recipients, allowing them to keep more money in their pockets while owning a permanent home.

2. Progress on Housing Units:

The Life Mission Kerala program is has reportedly constructed over 1.5 lakh houses in various phases by late 2023, demonstrating continued progress. This translates to safe and affordable housing for over 1.5 lakh families across the state, significantly contributing to the mission's goal of inclusive development in Kerala.

In order to buy a house, registering for E-rekha is mandatory. Visit the kerala registration portal blog for more information.

3. Focus on Social Services:

Life Mission Kerala understands the value of holistic well-being. Aside from providing safe and secure housing, the program aims to empower residents through social services. This includes ensuring that families have access to primary healthcare, which meets their physical health needs. In addition, the program provides assistance to elderly residents, allowing them to live comfortably and independently. Furthermore, Life Mission Kerala promotes skill development programs that offer residents with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve financial stability and improve their quality of life.

The affordable housing scheme has also built various simple traditional kerala house. Check it out!

As American Sociologist Matthew Desmond says, “it is hard to argue that housing is not a fundamental human need. Decent, affordable housing should be a basic right for everybody in this country. The reason is simple: without stable shelter, everything else falls apart.”

So that was about “Life mission Kerala: Affordable housing scheme”. We hope you found the article fruitful!

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Most Frequently Asked Questions?

Who can apply for the LIFE Mission Kerala housing scheme?

The scheme is open to individuals who are either landless or homeless. Additionally, those earning an annual income of less than 3 lakhs can also apply.

How can one register for the LIFE Mission Kerala housing scheme?

It starts with submitting essential documents through the official portal, such as identity proofs and an income certificate. In order to ensure the integrity of the process, the State authority meticulously verifies each application, ensuring accuracy and legitimacy in providing housing support to those in need.

What is the progress of the housing scheme under different phases?

Phase-wise progress includes ongoing construction, with phase one having 52,289 houses awaiting completion, phase two constructing 80,028 homes, and phase three with 1,765 houses under construction.

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