Bhutan's Green and Resilient Affordable Housing Sector Project Takes Shape

Strategic Insights -

The Green and Resilient Affordable Housing Sector Project (GRAHSP) is a flagship initiative of the Bhutanese government, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aimed at providing affordable and inclusive housing across the country. The project, financed by the ADB with a total project cost of USD 37 million, involves the construction of housing complexes in multiple sites, including Dradrulthang and Samdrup Jongkhar Toed, where over 700 households are expected to benefit from the housing and community service facilities. The project's focus on social inclusion, climate resilience, and community engagement is expected to create living spaces that are not only affordable but also accessible and supportive of vulnerable groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • The GRAHSP project, supported by the ADB, aims to deliver climate-resilient housing integrated with community service facilities for hundreds of Bhutanese households.
  • Construction works are underway in Dradrulthang and Samdrup Jongkhar Toed, with 11 buildings being built in Samdrup Jongkhar Toed, each with eight housing units.
  • The structures are being designed to incorporate elderly, women, children, and disability (EWCD) friendly features, including ramps, accessible washrooms, and ground-floor units reserved for people with disabilities.
  • The Integrated Service Centers (ISCs) at the housing sites will function as childcare facilities, shelters for women in difficult circumstances, and hubs for livelihood and advocacy programs.
  • The project has a total project cost of USD 37 million, with USD 30 million provided by the ADB and USD 7 million from non-ADB sources.
  • The project design emphasizes climate resilience, with special attention given to structural safety, sanitation systems, and sustainable designs.
  • The ground floors of each building will host service facilities and spaces for community interaction, where residents can access vital services and foster social cohesion.

Statistics:

  • The project involves the construction of over 700 housing units across multiple sites.
  • The Samdrup Jongkhar Toed site consists of 11 buildings, each with eight housing units, at a contract value of Nu 281.2 million.
  • The Phuentsholing's Core LAP site involves eight buildings with a total of 166 units, awarded to M/s PLCPL-RBIPL JV at a contract value of Nu 415.7 million.
  • The project aims to create living spaces that are not only affordable but also accessible and supportive of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities.

Sources:

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Project Engineer, Chime
  • Project Engineer, Tandin
  • National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC)
  • An ADB representative, Sonam Zam