The Bhutanese Leading the way.
During the 11th Meet-the-Press held yesterday, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), Chandra Bahadur Gurung, shared that tenants fulfilling the condition may continue to occupy their units provided they meet the criteria.
The minister shared a condition set by the National Housing Development Corporation Limited (NHDCL) that tenants and their spouses must not own property in Thimphu Thromde, and their combined gross income must stay within the set threshold for the housing category.
Lyonpo Chandra Bahadur Gurung said, “These conditions are designed to ensure that government housing is provided to genuinely deserving tenants, and to prevent higher-income individuals from occupying units unnecessarily.”
He shared that they consider Gross Household Income as it is standardized and provides a consistent metric that avoids discrepancies caused by individual deductions like loans or advances, which can vary widely among tenants. This approach ensures a comprehensive assessment of the household’s financial capacity.
When asked what happens if the tenants’ income thresholds are exceeded, Lyonpo responded that exceeding the gross income threshold indicates that the tenant is financially capable of seeking alternative housing.
Lyonpo said, “Tenants that are disqualified are based on income thresholds as they have advanced to higher grades (P4, P3, or P2).”
He shared that allowing higher-income tenants to remain would prevent access for others on the waiting list. The government housing units are primarily reserved for employees in grades S4 and below.
“Tenants who exceed the income threshold or have progressed to higher grades should vacate to provide opportunities for others in need,” Lyonpo added.
However, he shared that exceptions could be considered for vulnerable groups, such as single parents with school-going children, tenants with serious medical conditions, dependents with disabilities, and tenants nearing retirement, particularly those with less than two years until superannuation.
Allowing tenants with over two years of occupancy remaining may be less justifiable, especially given that many have already occupied these units for over 20 years.
Further, in a written response the Finance Minister, Lekey Dorji, shared that the government has approved NHDCL’s proposal to allow Changjiji Housing Colony residents to stay until retirement, removing the 10-year limit. The eligibility criteria, including employment in Thimphu, low-income status, and no property ownership in Thimphu, will still apply.
“NHDCL will assess qualifications for the criteria to ensure low-income households are benefited while families exceeding income limits or owning property will vacate the unit making way for those in need,” he said.
Lyonpo said, “The government clarified that statutory deductions and allowances are uniform within pay scales, ensuring fairness in income evaluation. Personal deductions, like loan repayments, vary based on individual choices and won’t be considered.”
Housing eligibility will continue to be based on gross income to maintain consistency. This approach will not only safeguard fairness, but also prioritize affordable housing for low-income individuals.
