The Hindu Business Line : Centre tables new housing policy in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Aimed at providing affordable housing to the poor living in cities, the Centre on Friday unveiled a new urban housing policy, which envisages increased public-private partnership in the sector and encourages integrated townships.

The National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy, 2007, passed by the Cabinet earlier was tabled for ratification in both houses of Parliament.

The policy focuses on affordable urban housing with special emphasis on the urban poor, scheduled castes, tribes, backward classes and minorities.

"The urban housing shortage has been estimated at about 24.7 million units at the end of the 10th five year plan. Ninety-nine per cent of the shortage pertains to the economically weaker sections and low income groups," Ms Kumari Shailja, Urban Poverty A lleviation Minister said at a press conference here.

"The focus under this plan would be on symbiotic development of rural and urban areas in line with the objectives of the 74th Constitution Amendment Act," she said.

Within the overarching goal of "affordable housing for all", emphasis has been laid on urban planning, increased supply of land, use of spatial incentives such as additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR), transferable development rights and increased flow of fu nds, she said.

"At least 10-15 per cent of land in every new public-private housing projects or 20-25 per cent FAR whichever is greater would be reserved for EWS/LIG housing through appropriate spatial incentives," the minister said. - PTI

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