KOCHI: People over 18 years of age who are still residents of government welfare homes will be entitled to new houses or apartments in a new scheme intended to help women build an independent career. This scheme under the Kerala government is nearing completion.

The scheme named ‘Thanteyidam’ will see the housing board provide houses or apartments to 12 people this year. Criteria will be given to employed residents of welfare homes. POCSO case victims and landless people will get more consideration in this scheme.

The housing board will check the list of the proposed names of residents and will sort out the beneficiaries from the list.

Apartments with two rooms and a kitchen are provided free of cost along with furniture. Rs 1 crore from the housing board’s project allocation fund and financial assistance from the social welfare department will be deftly utilized for this scheme.

The house will be provided to ensure the privacy of those involved in POCSO cases. District Committee consisting of District Collector, DWCDO, WPO, DCPO, and DLSA members will scrutinize the applications from each district and recommend them to the State level committee. As of now, apartment complexes are being built in Kozhikode, Kannur, and Wayanad districts.