President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the first stage of the Mihindusenpura Housing Scheme for unauthorized dwellers in the Colombo city at Dematagoda yesterday. This housing project named Mihindusenpura will consist of 500 housing units. The Government has planned to construct 70,000 housing units with better facilities for these families. Over 60,000 housing units will be built in the Colombo North and East areas, and 10,000 housing units in the Colombo South area. The construction of over 14,764 condominium housing units has already commenced. More than 120 housing units are to be built at the Mayura place, 500 at Dematagoda, 1,008 at Yalamulla, 1,152 at 56 and 64 Estates, 1,137 at Henamulla and 768 under the first stage of the Maligawatte housing project. Meanwhile, under the second phase, over 2,600 units at Aluth Mawatha are also among many housing projects to be implemented for the benefit of low income families in the city. Over 2,300 housing units under construction at Dematagoda, Thathchiwatte, Mayura place, 54, 66 and 31 Estates are to be distributed among beneficiaries this year.