International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR) E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: editor@ijfmr.com IJFMR240319480 Volume 6, Issue 3, May-June 2024 1 Sustainable Housing in Rural Wayanad: Exploring the Link between Income and Housing among Indigenous Communities Nikhil Prathapachandran 1 , Varuvel Devadas 2 1,2 Department of Architecture and Planning, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India Abstract This study examines sustainable housing development to address indigenous communities' socio- economic challenges in Wayanad, Kerala, India. The research aims to propose policy recommendations for promoting sustainable housing while addressing poverty. The methodology integrates field research and literature review findings to develop comprehensive insights. The study's novelty lies in its holistic approach, which integrates income, housing conditions, and community resilience. Findings suggest that community-driven initiatives and environmentally friendly construction techniques like rammed earth and cob construction can empower indigenous communities while fostering environmental stewardship. Policy recommendations emphasise community participation, climate responsiveness, and flexibility in dwelling unit plans to promote sustainable housing development. Overall, the study highlights the potential of sustainable housing to address socio-economic disparities and empower indigenous communities in Wayanad. Keywords: Sustainable Housing, Income disparities, Indigenous communities, Indigenous Development, Community Empowerment 1. Introduction Wayanad, a picturesque district in the Western Ghats of Kerala, hosts diverse Indigenous communities and biodiversity with a high percentage of endemism (Mathew, 2018). Kerala has forty-three Indigenous groups, according to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA, 2018). These indigenous groups have deep- rooted connections to the land and nature, yet they need to be more immune to the broader forces of change that have ushered in complex transitions in recent decades. As traditional modes of sustenance evolve, the issue of housing becomes a focal point through which the interplay of culture, income, and quality of life unfolds (Rapoport, 2000) (Winger, 1968) (Streimikiene, 2015). There is a significant presence of households within the middle-income bracket, indicating the importance of agriculture as a reliable source of income in Wayanad (Prathapachandran & Devadas, 2023). Kerala has pioneered a new type of decentralised planning that emphasises sustainable development through community-based resource management, focusing on agriculture. These state-sponsored and choreographed organisations and initiatives have empowered underprivileged social groups, such as women and Indigenous populations, to improve their participation and livelihoods and reduce poverty (T. R. Suma, 2017). These sustainable interventions were centred on three major themes: forest conservation, community ecosystem-based