The National Housing Authority (NHA) showcases its achievements for 2024, advancing policies under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's 5x5 framework to tackle the population crisis and create housing for all ages, covering all dimensions. The focus is on providing starter homes for first jobbers and housing for the elderly, accelerating urban revitalization and development, creating opportunities for citizens to own homes through housing loans, and enhancing model communities towards sustainable development while rewarding communities that promote participation.

Mr. Thaveepong Vichaidit, Governor of the National Housing Authority, stated that in 2024, the NHA will drive its initiatives according to the policies of Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, who emphasizes the development of human capital and focuses on key policies known as 5x5 to address the population crisis. These include empowering the working-age population, enhancing the quality and productivity of children and youth, creating opportunities for the elderly, adding value for people with disabilities, and establishing an appropriate ecosystem to enhance family security (directly related to the NHA). Due to the current decline in birth rates, it is essential to address the needs of those wishing to marry and have children. Therefore, creating a suitable ecosystem for families aims to enable “Thais to be self-sufficient” and ensure “family security.” The NHA is thus advancing its mission of Housing for All, a project for sustainable housing and community development that caters to all target groups and age ranges.

Mr. Thaveepong Vichaidit further explained that the current sustainable housing and community development projects undertaken by the NHA include the First Jobber housing project, which aims to provide housing stability for young individuals entering the workforce, allowing them to own their homes and fostering pride and motivation in their lives, leading to the establishment of warm families in the future. The NHA has introduced rental buildings at special rates for first jobbers who are not yet ready to purchase homes, selecting projects located in potential areas across seven locations in Bangkok and its vicinity, totaling 1,428 units with rental rates ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 baht. Currently, citizens have signed rental contracts for the First Jobber housing project from December 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, totaling 387 units.

In addition to the rental buildings for first jobbers, the NHA is also constructing eight rental projects nationwide, comprising 3,269 units in locations such as Samut Prakan (Bang Phli), Lopburi Phase 1, Udon Thani (Sam Phrao), Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (Rojana), Chiang Mai Phase 1 (Nong Hoi), Chachoengsao (Bang Pakong), Nong Bua Lam Phu, and Phetchaburi (Poh Rai Wan).

Regarding the progress of the Din Daeng Community Revitalization Project Phase 2, it includes residential buildings in plot A, Building A1, which is 32 stories high with 635 units, currently awaiting the signing of the construction contract before handing over the site for construction. Meanwhile, the residential building in plot D1, Building D1, is being constructed as a 35-story building with 612 units, and residents from flats 23-32 are currently moving into the new building, with leasing contracts and relocations scheduled from June 17 to August 11, 2024.

Additionally, the NHA is undertaking a housing improvement project for the elderly, targeting low-income and impoverished individuals (Comfortable Homes for Grandparents), which is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at enhancing the living conditions of elderly individuals aged 60 and above. This involves renovating or constructing new homes and improving the living environment to ensure hygiene, safety, and suitability according to the residents' needs. In 2024, the NHA aims to improve 80 homes across six provinces: Phichit, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phayao, Chaiyaphum, and Satun, and has added one more target area in Suphan Buri due to its large population of elderly individuals with insufficient income. In honor of the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th cycle birthday on July 28, 2024, the NHA will present renovated homes in Suphan Buri as a royal merit.

Furthermore, the housing loan project for low-income individuals aims to provide opportunities for citizens who have not been approved for loans from financial institutions to own their homes, targeting over 2.27 million households to access standard housing while enhancing the quality of life for residents in all dimensions. From 2020 to 2024, the NHA has disbursed loans totaling 1,991.020 million baht (as of May 31, 2024), assisting those without property ownership to access affordable housing. A total of 2,592 households benefited, including 2,264 general customers and 328 vulnerable groups (in 2024, the NHA approved a total loan of 228.084 million baht for 358 customers).

The NHA has also initiated the Smart Sustainable Community (SSC) project to promote communities' ability to manage themselves systematically and elevate them to Smart Sustainable Communities. The SSC project has been underway since 2021, starting with the Bang Chalong Affordable Housing Project (Phase 1) in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited to transfer knowledge, technology, and innovation to support the SSC project. In 2022, the NHA selected four new communities that passed the Level 3 assessment of sustainable self-reliant communities as model communities while maintaining one existing community. In 2023, eight new communities that passed the Level 3 assessment were selected, along with five existing communities. In 2024, the NHA selected eight new communities for sustainable development assessment, including housing projects and affordable housing projects, while maintaining 13 existing communities.

Additionally, the NHA has organized the Bright Community, Beautiful Mind contest to encourage community members to collaboratively improve living conditions and community environments, motivating residents to actively participate in community development and address environmental issues seriously, creating sustainable and pleasant communities. This initiative has been ongoing since 2008, and in 2024, it marks the 13th event with the theme “Livable Communities, Strong Families,” aiming to find communities that connect with residents in all dimensions. Over 700 communities under the NHA's care were selected, with criteria divided into three categories: horizontal buildings, high-rise buildings, and rental buildings. Participating communities must meet the assessment criteria in four areas: physical and environmental aspects, participation processes, community management, and promoting strong families, with a total prize pool of 300,000 baht awarded to winning communities.

“The National Housing Authority is committed to advancing all projects according to the policies of Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, to ensure that citizens and vulnerable groups have access to housing and improved quality of life in social, economic, and environmental aspects under the vision of creating homes and happiness for a better quality of life. We are dedicated to developing and creating opportunities for citizens to access housing effectively, transparently, and accountably at every step, benefiting the nation and its people genuinely while opening channels for public feedback, including residents in all projects, to promote participation in community development and improve the NHA's operations to meet the housing needs of the public as much as possible,” the NHA Governor emphasized.