Govt mulls policy for affordable city housing

The government is finalising the National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy that will encourage the role of private players in making housing affordable in towns and cities. “Taking feedback from sectoral developments since 1998, we are finalising a new National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy,” said Kumari Selja, minister for housing and urban poverty alleviation.

Selja said the policy would recognise the role of private enterprises and market forces and would envisage a facilitative role for the state and a direct and proactive role for others. “Over Rs 4,00,000 crore is required to meet the housing demand, a sum that cannot be provided by the government or the private sector alone, it has to be done in a participatory manner “ she said.

The policy will be for urban areas since land use and licensing make the housing problems of urban areas different from those in rural areas. The Indian Express had reported on Tuesday that the ministry was looking at involving the private sector to make available affordable housing.

“We are looking at holding a dialogue with private developers to tell them about our mandate and understand from them the policy changes that are required. We will evaluate these and give the private sector policy incentives to invest in affordable housing,” a ministry official said.