Experts at a webinar on Tuesday called for strict implementation of the national housing policy to help ensure shelters for all, especially lower income group.
According to them, the authorities concerned like National Housing Authority (NHA) and RAJUK are not playing their designated role, lacking in capacity and became housing providers rather than facilitators.
They also called for making housing affordable for all, increasing government's allocation for the sector, and strengthening the agencies concerned.
The experts made the call at a webinar on 'Housing for all: developed cities in future' organised by Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) marking World Habitat Day 2020.
Md Delwar Haidar, Chairman of National Housing Authority (NHA), took part in the virtual discussion as the chief guest.
BIP president Akter Mahmud chaired the webinar, moderated by BIP secretary general Dr Adil Mohammed Khan.
BIP vice president Chowdhury Md Zaber Sadeque and lecturer of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Tasnim Tarannum Isaba participated in the webinar as discussants.
Zaber Sadeque made a presentation on Housing Policy Environment in Bangladesh.
Housing is unaffordable in Bangladesh but there is severe housing crisis, he said, adding that house price to income ratio is much higher in Dhaka than most other major cities in South Asian countries.
House rent to income ratio in Dhaka is 69 which means many families have to spend most of their income on housing, he said quoting available data.
"Though a wide range of issues has been addressed in the national housing policy 2016, many of them are not duly implemented in reality."
The authorities like NHA and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha or RAJUK are expected to play role as facilitators for the housing sector, he said, adding that in fact, they have become housing providers.
"Various housing projects undertaken by RAJUK doesn't reflect its desired role. Our regulatory structures are fragile. There is no coordination among them and the activities doesn't reflect the policy," the BIP vice president said.
Professor Abul Kalam, convener of BIP advisory council, said priority should be given to make the housing facility affordable for all.
NHA chairman Delwar Haidar said many people in the country become homeless due to natural calamities like river erosion.
Identifying the shortcomings of government authorities, he said NHA lacks complete planning unit.
"NHA still lacks a full-fledged planning wing for providing housing solution," said Mr Haidar who took charge as chairman of NHA seven months back.
Mr Akter Mahmud said the government should increase allocation for the housing sector with special attention to lower and middle income groups.
Terming the allocation for housing scanty, he said all regions in the country should get equal priority to ensure housing facility for all.
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