Safe Shelter: 10,000+ Homes Built in Theni
We have built over 10,000+ houses to replace mud huts, providing safety and hygiene for thousands
Providing safe housing for 10,000+ rural families is a cornerstone of RTU India’s mission to foster dignity and long-term security in marginalized communities. In rural South India, many families live in fragile huts that cannot withstand the monsoon rains. Our dedicated housing program replaces these vulnerable structures with permanent, brick-built homes. Following Google’s E-E-A-T principles, we work directly with local residents to ensure every project is transparent and impactful. This proven approach to rural development doesn’t just provide four walls; it creates a stable foundation where children can study safely and families can thrive without the constant fear of homelessness or displacement.
Housing
Objectives
To provide a better living environment for the rural poor.
This programme was introduced by Brother James Kimpton in 1976 as a one time solution to the poor living conditions of many in the surrounding rural area. The poorer villagers often live in a house with a thatched roof and mud walls or even thatched walls. This type of shelter needs changing every year which costs at least Rs.1500/-. Normally the villagers get this money from private moneylenders at a high interest rate of around 60% or more. Often they cannot settle this before the next renovation is due and so the loans build up until sometimes the debt is passed on to the next generation.
We identify those most in need in the villages through a Participatory Rural Appraisal. We then complete a house within 15 days from the day of measurement. The concrete and tiles are made at RTU. Our total cost per house is Rs.55,000/- including white wash.
Since the inception of this programme we have constructed over 7500 houses for the rural poor in our area. We construct a decent 17′ x 17′ + 5’ x 5’(feet) size house with a kitchen, living room, bath cum toilet and a sit-out (design attachment I). A recent addition is a partition in the living room which gives privacy to women and adolescent girls. The roof is made-up of steel trusses on top of cement tiles. We place a few glass tiles in the roof, which gives good lighting in the house.
Our regular masons measure the size and mark the foundation. The foundation is made-up of rubble, red soil and granite powder. Normally the householders dig the foundation and fill it with the support of our mason. If a household does not have adequate skilled people we provide labour.
Case study
I was living in a hut made of sticks and woven coconut leaves and tarpaulin in the south street of Genguvarpatti village. All of a sudden the hut caught fire and gutted it within a few minutes. This happened during the daytime and nobody was inside the house. When we returned home for rest after toiling the whole day we found only a heap of ashes in the place of our hut. We came to understand that the crackers fired during a funeral procession that passed through the street caused the mishap. After setting down the fire I went to Arul Malar School to collect my son.
Through the teachers RTU came to know about the fire accident and volunteered their help by supplying bed sheets, dress materials, cooking vessels, and monitory assistance for living and advised RTU Rural Housing Department to construct a house for me. They also gave us food, cloth, mats, pillows and blankets and offered us a place to live until a new house was constructed. On the next day morning a survey team came to the spot to asses the possibility of the construction. They found that the land we possessed was inadequate for minimum needs. They asked us to acquire sufficient land for the house.
A house site in 2 ¾ cents was ready for sale in our same street. We arranged for a loan from a local financier and purchased this land within a week. On hearing about the acquisition of the land the RTU friends came and briefed us about the proposed construction. Hearing our opinion about the facilities we wished to have, they designed the house plan. On the same day, i.e. on 3rd November 2005, they started the work. As my husband was a sickly man the responsibility for the supervision and management of the construction was given to me. I too worked along with the other labourers.
The house was constructed in 10 days. It is 314 sq. feet, fireproof, waterproof and termite proof. The house warning ceremony of this house was held on 15th November 2005. We are now living happily in this house. It is very convenient also. It has facilities like a sit out, bedroom, kitchen, and attached toilet and bathroom. We are saving a small amount every month to bring electricity to our house. We feel proud of living in this house. We are ever grateful to RTU for this help.
Ferro Cement Products (Since 1989)
In our cement product unit, which provides employment to those in the area, we make hollow blocks (sizes 4″, 6″ and 8″) for walls, doors, windows, tiles, glass tiles, etc. These are economic models with locally available materials, only cement and steel is bought. We use granite dust instead of river sand, an eco friendly measure that does not harm rivers. These houses are timber free houses, so they rarely need repairing. The kitchen is 9″ x 6″ with a terracotta stove. Normally women use country wood for cooking which causes smoke and so each house has two smoke tiles, to avoid smoke spreading inside the house. The roof has steel trusses made by local black smiths, on top of which cement tiles are fixed. |
Identification of Beneficiaries
After identifying those in need, we also screen potential beneficiaries through our survey team. Most of the beneficiaries of this programme are very poor land owners. In Tamil Nadu the government gives public land to poor households free of cost. Our beneficiaries are usually these owners of land or ones who bought land against payment to a third party.
We make sure they have already been living on the land for a minimum of 3 years. We also keep their land ownership document for 5 years and get them to sign a legal document that they will not sell or lease the property for five years. These are needed to avoid any misuse of our support. A few villages were also developed on RTU purchased land which we then gave to poor landless families.
We encourage the household to save a minimum of Rs.50 or 100/- in secured schemes at post offices or banks for their future. This is possible as they do not have their yearly house renovation expenses. Within a few years many of the households used this money to add electricity or to expand their house.
Water
Well Drilling
Working in what is a drought-ridden area; we have sunk over 2192 wells to provide remote villages with access to safe drinking water.
Our Proven Rural Housing Construction Model
RTU India utilizes a proven rural housing construction model that prioritizes durability and cost-effectiveness. Instead of temporary thatched huts that require constant repair, we build permanent houses using high-quality bricks, cement, and tiled roofs. Each home is designed to withstand the harsh monsoon seasons of South India, ensuring a lifetime of protection. This systematic approach—refined over decades—allows us to maintain a trusted standard of quality while maximizing the impact of every donation to reach as many families as possible.
Providing a Safe Foundation for Vulnerable Families
A house is more than just a structure; it is the starting point for a better life. By providing a safe foundation for vulnerable families, we remove the daily stress of living in insecure conditions. A solid home protects children from the elements and local wildlife, providing a dry, well-lit space for them to study. Our dedicated housing projects ensure that families have a lockable door and a sense of belonging, which significantly improves mental well-being and physical health by reducing exposure to water-borne diseases and pests.
Dedicated Shelter for Widows and the Destitute
We prioritize those who are most at risk within rural society, offering dedicated shelter for widows and the destitute. In many marginalized communities, women who have lost their husbands often find themselves without legal rights or a place to call home. RTU India identifies these high-need individuals and provides them with small, dignified houses that offer both independence and safety. This inspiring initiative ensures that the most vulnerable members of our community can age with grace and security, free from the threat of homelessness.
Collaborative Community Building and Long-Term Impact
Our work is centered on collaborative community building and long-term impact. We don’t just build isolated houses; we help develop entire neighborhoods. By involving the beneficiaries in the construction process, we foster a deep sense of ownership and pride within the community. This reliable development strategy often leads to further village improvements, such as better sanitation and social cohesion. Our goal is to create sustainable living environments where thousands of families can thrive together for generations to reflect the true spirit of rural empowerment.