Diocesan Housing Program

Food, Cloth and Shelter are the dire needs of the day.  One of these basic need for urban and rural poor is not only shelter but also the basic requirement for all economic activities.  It is the starting point of one’s self to organize and develop his actions and mind.  This Housing Program was started by the Capuchin Priests Henry Ke, in Kot Lakhpat, Bahar Colony, Youhanabad # 1, Francis Town (Shahpur), Naasrat Colony (Bhai Pheru), Jevan Hana, Gloria Colony (Sheikhupura), Mariamabad, Clarence Colony (Sangla Hill), Mariam Colony (Adah), and Francisabad (Hafizabad Road). In Hafizabad Parish Rev Fr Stani Salaas started eight small colonies that were entirely under his control, like other Capuchin Priests' schemes.  After analyzing the situation of Housing Schemes and keeping in view the experience that Rev Fr Henry had Caritas Pakistan Lahore started a Housing Scheme in Sodiwal.

People living in remote areas where they used to earn their living working on landlord’s land, are migrating towards the city areas. There are several reasons, which are best known to them, but the following are the most common reasons:

The land is being divided into many owners that means father’s property is being divided among the children and their children and their children.

Due to all this the low-income people are suffering the most. They get up every day and look for their daily bread and never know whether they will be able to get something at the end of day for their family or will have to go to bed without this. 

Not only this, there is a tension of their basic needs. The most ignorest is when they do not have their own houses and they have to either pay the rent or leave the house and live under the open sky on the road with their children. They never are proud to be member of such family who could not give them anything but disparity. 

People settled in specific areas from years assume that this land belongs to them. The understanding develops due to the fact that they get all utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity and Sewerage) but do not have property ownership rights. There are occasions when people are settled in Cantonment or Government owned areas. There are situations when private owners are also create problem.

To solve the problem of illegal settlements, inadequate housing and mass migration as they are the major hindrances in the Total Human Development.

General

	To provide housing to the maximum low income communities of the Archdiocese of Lahore through Housing Cooperative (HC).
	To provide immediate shelter to the eviction cases.
	To provide construction facilities in housing to the maximum low income communities of Archdiocese of Lahore through Housing Cooperative (HC).
	To enable Housing Cooperative for the civic development of the newly established housing schemes in Archdiocese of Lahore.

A committee has been set up to scrutinize the affairs of the Diocesan housing schemes.

Types of Housing Society

1. Cooperative Based Housing Schemes

2. Regular Housing Schemes

3. Eviction Housing Schemes

Cooperative Based Housing Schemes

This type of housing will work with the animation work. When survey will list a demand for housing scheme for the community the request will be sent to Caritas Pakistan Lahore through Parish Development Committee. All requests must come from the respective Parish Priest, in writing.  The response from the office must also be in writing.  All deposits must be made in the bank.  All applications must be computerized.  Housing scheme must have community building aspect.

Regular Housing Scheme 

Name of the housing scheme should be “Caritas Housing Scheme Lahore” (CHSL).  Respective Parish Priest must attest all applications.  All application forms must be computerized.  Housing schemes must have community building aspect.  Regular Housing Schemes are also started for sustainability.

Eviction Housing Scheme

Cover relief as well as rehabilitation measures. This includes  projects to make new lands/new houses/new accommodations available for this displaced families.  Caritas will support in the purchase procedure by their preparedness to give a general guarantee to the seller or by advancing a part of the sale price.

Eviction Housing Schemes should adopt rules and agreement of Bishop John Joseph Eviction Fund monitored by National Office of Caritas and Caritas Germany.

Functions

• Promote the aim of Caritas Pakistan Lahore in accordance with constitution

• Review the narrative reports of the programs quarterly and present it to the Board as and
  when required

• Act on behalf of Board and be responsible for implementation of policies and decisions
  taken

• Approve all projects to be submitted for funding

• Members will have complete knowledge of the financial status of the program

• Members will work towards the promotion of objectives of Housing Department

• Identification of new trends and initiatives regarding housing activities

• Review the salary structure of the housing staff

• Review the existing programs and give suggestions for improvement by having program presentations in the meeting

• Executive Secretary along with the program coordinator will be responsible for
  implementation of committee decisions

WORKING RULES

Chairperson of Housing committee

The Archbishop / Administrator will be Chairperson of the Housing Committee. He is the ultimate authority and can over rule any decision with or without consulting CPL Housing Committee members

Convener of Housing Committee

The convener will be the head of Housing Committee. He / She will be the one to call all committee meetings. He / She will represent Housing committee in and out diocese on the level of Caritas Pakistan Lahore Board. He / She will settle all matters regarding projects and program in the Archdiocese and to the Executive Board meeting, if required.

Diocesan Executive Secretary

Diocesan Executive Secretary of Caritas Pakistan Lahore will be administrative head of the Housing Committee. He will supervise that all decision taken by the CPL Board are implemented in their true manner. He will check the progress of the work in Housing Department.

CURRENT HOUSING SCHEMES

Caritas Colony, Sodiwal, Samanabad Parish
Batapur Housing, Shah Shaheed, Lahore Cantt Parish
Maher Town, Bedian Road, Lahore Cantt Parish
Caritas Town, Ghazi Road, Lahore Cantt Parish
Youhanabad II, Ferozepur Road, Kot Lakhpat Parish
Bishop John Joseph Town, Youhanabad, Kot Lakhpat Parish
Nasrat Park, Shadbagh Parish
Bishop Lawrence J Saldanha Town, Sagian, Anarkali Parish
Nasrat Colony, Sheikhupura Parish
Zicharia Colony, Narowal Parish
Qamar Colony, Pasrur Parish

FORTHCOMING SCHEMES

Sialkot Housing Cooperative, Sialkot Cantt and City Parishes