Tamil Nadu launches ₹3,500 crore Vetri Veedu Thittam to replace 70,000 huts with permanent houses

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a major housing initiative aimed at improving the living standards of economically weaker families by launching the Vetri Veedu Thittam in the 2026–27 State Budget. The new scheme seeks to replace 70,000 huts with permanent concrete houses during the current financial year at an estimated cost of ₹3,500 crore.

Presenting the Budget in the Legislative Assembly, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson said the scheme has been designed exclusively for families living in huts. As part of the initiative, the government has increased the financial assistance per house from ₹3.10 lakh to ₹5 lakh, enabling beneficiaries to construct stronger and better-quality homes.

The Rural Development Department has been entrusted with identifying eligible beneficiaries through a comprehensive door-to-door survey across the state. The survey will help ensure that assistance reaches deserving households and that the programme is implemented efficiently.

The launch of Vetri Veedu Thittam reflects the government’s continued focus on strengthening rural housing and improving the quality of life in villages. Access to permanent housing not only provides better protection from weather conditions but also contributes to improved sanitation, health, safety and overall social well-being.

Alongside the housing initiative, the government announced the Tamil Nadu Village Empowerment, Transformation and Rejuvenation Initiative (TN-VETRI), which will integrate multiple rural infrastructure programmes under a single framework. With an annual allocation of ₹6,000 crore, the initiative will support projects related to drinking water supply, sanitation, solid waste management and other essential civic infrastructure. A high-level committee headed by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj will oversee its implementation.

The Budget also introduced the Vetri 150 Scheme to strengthen rural employment opportunities. Under the programme, eligible beneficiaries under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) who complete 125 days of work will receive an additional 25 days of employment, increasing the annual entitlement to 150 days. The State government has earmarked an additional ₹100 crore for the scheme.

With higher investment in housing, rural infrastructure and employment generation, Tamil Nadu is seeking to accelerate inclusive rural development while creating better living conditions for thousands of families across the state. The Vetri Veedu Thittam is expected to play a significant role in improving housing security and supporting the government’s broader vision for sustainable village development.