LAHORE: The Punjab government has expanded its Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme by introducing two new interest-free loan options aimed at helping families improve unsafe homes and build additional living space.
Under the revised scheme, eligible households can receive up to Rs500,000 for repairing and renovating damaged or deteriorating houses. A separate interest-free loan of up to Rs1 million will be available for constructing an additional floor on an existing home, repayable through affordable instalments.
The decision was approved during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She said the expansion was intended to improve housing safety and help prevent incidents similar to the recent Kahna tragedy, where the collapse of unsafe structures resulted in multiple deaths.
Programme progress so far
Approved
180,000+
Families approved for loans
Disbursed
170,000+
Families received loans
Completed
134,000+
Houses completed
Pipeline
27,500+
Homes under construction
Funding and demand
Rs217.8 billion allocated for the housing project.
More than 1.278 million families have applied for assistance.
Officials said loan approvals have already been issued to over 180,000 families.
Maryam Nawaz orders faster rollout
The chief minister directed authorities to launch the newly added category for the public within three days and ordered officials to simplify the housing loan process.
She said the government’s performance should be judged by practical relief measures rather than statements, especially during difficult economic conditions.
Maryam Nawaz also said that after distributing free plots to 2,000 homeless families, the provincial government would now provide financial assistance to help beneficiaries build their homes.
Key directive
The chief minister instructed departments not to place unnecessary conditions on poor applicants and warned that negligence in implementing flagship housing programmes would not be tolerated.
The expanded scheme is expected to provide both housing safety improvements and additional living space for families already residing in their own homes.
