With an aim to reach out to 3 lakh individuals in Kerala, Habitat for Humanity India in association with Punarjani, an initiative by Adv. Shri. V D Satheeshan, MLA of North Paravur constituency, and ‘KIDS’ (Kottapuram Integrated Development Society), launched ‘Household Support Services (HSS) on Wheels’ on 20 th May 2020. The HSS (Household Support Services) on Wheels is a mobile unit that will function with an objective of supporting families with services related to household ranging from electricity, water, utility payments, online services, technical assistance (housing plan, documentation assistance, bill of quantities and estimation, quality and quantity management, etc.) and documentation at the doorsteps of each family following the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
The HSS on Wheels is a joint collaboration of Habitat for Humanity India with Punarjani and KIDS (Kottapuram Integrated Development Society). The HSS on Wheels was inaugurated by Adv. Shri. V. D. Satheesan, MLA, North Paravur Constituency, Rt. Rev. DR. Joseph Karikkassery, Bishop of Kottapuram Diocese, V. M. Johny, Councillor, Kodungallur Municipality, Fr. Paul Thomas, Director, KIDS and Rajan Samuel, Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity India. In the phase I of the launch, the HSS on Wheels will travel to serve different panchayats in Ernakulum district, Kerala.
“On 20th August 2018, Habitat for Humanity India sent a disaster response team to begin relief operations that would end up serving more than 1,50,000 flood affected families in Kerala. In the last 21 months, Habitat’s work in Kerala has been through many phases – from immediate relief, transitional shelters, building disaster resilient homes to launching Household Support Services today. Household Support Services is a one of its kind and a one stop solution for building community resilience during crisis situations like COVID-19 and even during peace time. Though the HSS on Wheels initiative, we aim to take housing and household related services directly to the doorsteps of marginalized families. We are thankful to the Government of Kerala, Honourable Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Shri. V. D. Satheesan, MLA, North Paravur Constituency and Fr. Paul Thomas, Director, KIDS (Kottapuram Integrated Development Society) for giving us the opportunity to serve the people of Kerala,” stated Rajan Samuel, Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity India.
“Household Support Services on Wheels is a need of the hour especially for marginalised families in Kerala. Habitat for Humanity India has been instrumental in providing disaster resilient housing solutions in the past. Through the HSS on Wheels we aim to improve the standard of living of marginalized communities by providing them with an access to sustainable solutions related to shelter and shelter eco- system,” said Adv. Sri. V. D. Satheesan, MLA, North Paravur Constituency.
The HSS on Wheels will offer 79 services including 59 household related services, 6 technical related service, documentation services, disaster mitigation and risk reduction training and consultation, financial product integration and a mobile mammogram unit. Apart from these services, families will also be trained on Behaviour Change Communication and Community Based Disaster Risk Management. Assessment surveys in terms of the structural integrity of houses, damage assessment will also be carried out through HSS On Wheels.
