By TCO News Desk
Hubballi, January 23, 2026 – In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming the lives of thousands of underprivileged families, the Karnataka government is set to allot 42,345 houses to poor households across the state during a grand state-level program in Hubballi on Saturday. The event, hosted on Mantur Road and expected to draw over two lakh participants, underscores the Congress-led administration's commitment to housing for the marginalized, with key figures including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge leading the inauguration.
The distribution marks the second phase of the Karnataka Slum Development Board's (KSDB) ambitious housing drive under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and state schemes like Ashraya. According to officials, this phase alone will benefit 20,363 slum dwellers who will symbolically receive their Record of Rights (RoR) documents via video conference from the venue. In the first phase completed last year, 36,789 houses were allotted, with another 30,000 slated for the third phase in April or May. Overall, the program targets the construction of 1,80,253 homes statewide, complete with essential amenities such as hospitals, libraries, and community halls.
Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, addressing a press briefing, emphasized the program's non-partisan ethos and its focus on the poor. "This is neither my personal initiative nor a party event, but a dedicated program for the underprivileged," Khan stated, highlighting the financial model where beneficiaries contribute just ₹1 lakh per house, supplemented by ₹4 lakh from the state government and additional subsidies from both state and central coffers. He also took a swipe at the previous BJP regime, accusing it of failing to construct even a single house despite being in power for years, contrasting it with the current government's resolve amid fiscal challenges.
KSDB Chairman and Hubballi MLA Prasad Abbayya, who has been instrumental in overseeing the project's execution, described the effort as a visionary step toward dignity for the homeless. "We are constructing and distributing these houses with the sole objective of providing shelter to the poor," Abbayya said, noting that 860 additional homes under the Ashraya scheme have already been handed over in the region. The local MLA's involvement adds a personal touch to the event, as Hubballi—his hometown—serves as the epicenter for this statewide milestone.
Preparations in Hubballi are in full swing, with the program scheduled to commence at 11 a.m. Distinguished guests including MLC Abdul Jabbar, former MP I.G. Sanadi, and ex-NWKRTC Chairman Sadanand Danganavar are expected to join, amplifying the event's significance. Security and logistical arrangements are being coordinated to accommodate the massive turnout, reflecting the government's push to make housing accessible despite earlier criticisms over construction quality in some projects.
This distribution comes at a pivotal time for Karnataka's social welfare agenda, with the Congress government prioritizing its five guarantees, including housing, amid ongoing debates on fund allocation. By addressing the chronic issue of urban slum proliferation, the initiative not only fulfills electoral promises but also paves the way for inclusive urban development. As families prepare to receive keys to their new homes, Saturday's event in Hubballi promises to etch a new chapter in the state's history of empowerment for the economically vulnerable.
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