Mapping Kerala’s LIFE Mission Housing Flows

 

Visualizing Housing Allocation in Kerala’s Life Mission

One of the biggest challenges in public policy is making sense of how schemes actually translate into benefits on the ground. Numbers in tables often conceal more than they reveal. But when we put them into a flow diagram, some fascinating patterns emerge.

The graphic below takes district-wise housing data from Kerala’s Economic Review 2024, specifically the section on the Life Mission, and maps it as a flow: District ➝ Scheme ➝ Beneficiary Group.

This visualization is powered by data from the Kerala Economic Review 2024 (Table 11.5.1) — specifically, the number of housing units built under each government scheme across Kerala's 14 districts.

The flow chart below illustrates how over 2.3 lakh housing units were distributed under various schemes:

Graph by the Author using R Studio

PMAY-R and PMAY-U dominate the narrative. The majority of housing units flow through PMAY schemes, collectively accounting for a large share of the allocations across all districts. This highlights the central role of centrally-sponsored housing schemes in Kerala’s housing effort.

SC and ST Departments have a strong presence with allocations under the SC and ST departments that are significant, especially in districts like Palakkad, Wayanad, and Thiruvananthapuram — a signal of targeted interventions toward historically disadvantaged groups.

Fisheries and Minority departments contribute narrowly but precisely, as these departments have smaller but sharply defined flows — reaching specific populations like coastal communities and religious minorities. Their presence is modest but crucial in ensuring no group is overlooked.

General category beneficiaries:
What’s especially striking is how a substantial number of houses — particularly through PMAY schemes — ultimately reach the "General" group. This includes economically weaker sections not covered by caste- or community-specific quotas, signaling Kerala’s broad-based welfare intent.

 Policy Reflections:

This 3-axis diagram tells a story of intent, reach, and equity. It shows that Kerala’s housing policies are structured to balance universal coverage (via PMAY) with affirmative targeting (via SC/ST/Fisheries/Minority schemes).

But it also raises reflective questions:

• Are some districts more reliant on targeted schemes than others?
• Does the flow to the "General" category crowd out more vulnerable groups in some regions?

Housing is more than shelter. By visualizing how houses are allocated, we begin to understand the distribution of benefits in a better light.