Social Audit & Project Closing Event of 5 Model Cities II & Collective Housing” project

A Social Audit and Project Closing Event was organized at the Mahalaxmi Municipality Office on 23^rd September 2026 to reflect on the achievements, experiences, and impacts of the “Housing Support for Low-Income Communities in Growing Urban Centers, 5 Model Cities II & Collective Housing” project.

The project was implemented by Lumanti Support Group for Shelter in collaboration with Mahalaxmi Municipality, Didi Bahini Cooperative, Community Women’s Forum, and local communities, with funding support from the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR), SELAVIP, and urbaMonde. The project focused on Wards 5 and 7 of Mahalaxmi Municipality, supporting low-income families with housing upgrading and implementing small-scale infrastructure projects in the two wards. This is the continuation of the 5 Model Cities project.

The event provided an important platform for community representatives, municipal officials, women’s cooperatives, and Lumanti to come together to review the project interventions, share experiences, and openly discuss the changes, achievements, and lessons from the project.

Basundhara Maharjan, Housing Coordinator, LUMANTI, presented the Social Audit Report, covering key activities, achievements, best practices, and financial details. She highlighted on the process and outcome of the Thasi Depa Community Planning Workshop at Siddipur, Mahalaxmi Municipality.

For years, Sumitra Rijal lived in a home with roof leak and a small toilet. After receiving the support from the project, that changed into comfortable home. “My home was destroyed in the earthquake, after which we built a house from CGI Sheet, my family and I were using a tiny toilet with roof leaks, and water drainage issues. By joining a Didibahini Cooperative with guidance from ward office and a local leader, I secured a loan support. Using this support and own savings, I renovated the toilet and fitted roof gutters, transforming the shelter into a far more comfortable home”, Sumitra Rijal says.

During the programme, Mr. Babu Raja Maharjan, Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 7, Mahalaxmi Municipality, highlighted the importance of social audit and closing events as an opportunity to see the impact of the project and evaluate the project as a whole. He shared that the small-scale infrastructure projects supported through the initiative have helped communities complete important, low-budget infrastructure works in areas where the municipality had limited resources or where such interventions were difficult to address through regular municipal programmes.

Mr. Hari Gobinda Shrestha, Mayor of Mahalaxmi Municipality, acknowledged Lumanti’s long history of working in Mahalaxmi and shared that Lumanti has always been welcomed to work in collaboration with the municipality. He thanked Lumanti for its continued support to marginalized and low-income communities and appreciated its contribution towards improving housing and living conditions in the municipality.

During the closing and vote of thanks, Ms. Lumanti Joshi reflected on Lumanti’s long-standing engagement in Mahalaxmi Municipality, noting that Lumanti has been working with communities in the municipality for 18 years. She expressed appreciation for the continued collaboration with the municipality, communities, and local partners, and shared Lumanti’s commitment to continuing this partnership and support in the years ahead.

The event reaffirmed the importance of community participation, municipal collaboration, social accountability, and collective action in addressing the housing and infrastructure needs of low-income and marginalized communities.

18 years of partnership. Building on what has been achieved and continuing to work together towards inclusive, adequate, and dignified housing for all.