Yangon's squatter population remains high
Play
More than 270,000 squatters live in 33 of the 45 townships of Yangon, excluding those who dwell on privately-owned properties, according to the Yangon City Development Committee.
Of total, 96,000 them are in Hlaingthaya Township. Dagon Seikkan Township ranks second with 51,000 squatters, and is followed by Shwepyitha Township with 20,000.
The list covers only 33 townships out of 45. The total number of squatters in Yangon is estimated to be around half a million.
Most of the squatters live near railways and rivers, as decent accommodations are too expensive.
Nyo Nyo Thin, a regional politician representing Bahan Township, pointed out that the squatter issue has become messier because the regional government has failed to address it in time.
“The government has implemented low-cost and affordable housing, but since a flat is priced at Ks20 million, most of the people cannot afford them,” she said.
