In 1987, the MAM (institution setting up charitable projects for the needy under the auspices of Amma) - inspired by Amma - started building simple houses that were put at the disposal of the poor. As it became clear how great the need was, a project for building 25,000 houses for widows, handicaped, elderly and other needy people started in 1998. This project is called Amrita Koetiram. More than 250,000 applications for these basic houses have been received in the short term. From Amma’s ashram (religious community, monastery in Hindu tradition), an investigation has been carried out into the life circumstances of the applicants, so that the most needy could be given priority in receiving the available houses. The results have been saved in a data bank.

With great enthusiasm, a group of volunteers has started building these houses with some construction workers. A main part of the cost price - the wage costs - is saved by this voluntary commitment. If people own a piece of land themselves, it is used as building land. For others, land is bought in remote areas or at the edge of a city where it is possible to build a social residential district. People who support Amma’s work also donate building land. The average cost of a small Amrita Koetiram house is 50 – 60.000 rupees (€ 1000 to € 1200).

The formula for these housing projects is unique. Small districts with 108 or more two-room houses are built. Each house gets connection to electricity and a water tap is installed per four houses. A community house, a small library and a little temple are also being built in the district. Since 2004, tsunami-resistant houses have been built in high-risk areas.

The MAM guarantees the maintenance of the district for 10 years. One of Amma’s brahmacaris (disciple, sometimes monk/brother) keeps in touch with the inhabitants and helps them start homework in order to make money with needlework, grinding spices, processing dairy products or making pickles. This way, the inhabitants are not only presented with a new house but also with new means of existing. The inhabitants are not allowed to sell the houses during the first seven years, but after that period, they get full ownership of the house and land.

Amma’s aim to build 25,000 houses in 5 years’ time has already been largely achieved and Amma has now set a higher goal: 100,000 houses in 10 years!

The Indian authorities see the success of Amma’s work and more and more often seek cooperation with the ashram. In the state of Kerala where the ashram is situated, the government has made the decision to donate ten plots of land to the ashram in all fourteen districts for the Amrita Koetiram project. 140 new districts have been built here.