Awareness and Utilization of Housing Welfare Schemes among Fishermen in Kerala: A Study on Kumbalangi Village in Ernakulam District

Abstract

This study aims to study the awareness and utilization of housing welfare schemes among the fishermen in Kumbalangi village, Ernakulam district. The Fisheries Welfare Department has introduced schemes such as the Matsya Bhavan Housing Scheme, Fishermen Housing Scheme, and the Prime Minister's Awas Yojana (PMAY) in an attempt to improve the housing conditions of the fishing community. Based on a sample of 286 respondents, using stratified random sampling, awareness levels, utilization patterns, determinants, and barriers are analyzed. The results show that 69.23% of the respondents know about the schemes, and 50% stated that they have availed themselves of them. Chi-square Analysis Significant associations are shown between awareness and educational level (chi 2 = 12.34, p = 0.0004), access to information and awareness (chi 2 = 24.78, p < 0.0001), and social network and awareness (chi 2 = 22.56, p < 0.0001). Economic barriers (p = 0.0001) (chi-square (X2) = 58.79, p < 0.0001), bureaucratic (X2 = 4.36, p = 0.0367), and lack of information (X2 = 17.36, p < 0.0001) also significantly affect utilization. Among the schemes, PMAY has the greatest positive effect on the improvement of living conditions and housing satisfaction. The results offer policy lessons for improving the implementation of housing welfare among the coastal fishing communities.