The State government is considering a slew of measures aimed at making housing affordable for the urban poor, which include relaxing restrictions on Floor Space Index (FSI) to speeding up construction of low-cost houses and creating a vision document for the next two years.
The Housing and Urban Development Department’s policy note for the financial year 2015-16 makes it clear that it is committed to the objective of affordable housing for all. It seems to be aligned with the Centre’s vision. Two months ago, the Centre, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, announced that by the 75th year of Indian Independence, which is 2022, every family will have a pucca house with water connection, toilet facilities and round-the-clock power supply.
As part of the State government’s response, its principal planning agencies Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning have made proposals on easing FSI norms, among others, sources said. According to officials in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the two agencies are also likely to allocate land exclusively to give a fillip to affordable housing.
Though these demands are being made for many years, the State government was unable to fulfil them. One of the crippling factors was the fear that affordable housing initiatives could be misused by stakeholders.
With the Centre’s vision document in place now, the planning agencies can go ahead with provisions such as increasing FSI for specific projects and also making use of concepts like transfer of development rights, an official in the Department said.
While welcoming the concept of housing for all, G. Selva of Communist Party of India (Marxist), said that providing decent housing facilities with access to water and sanitation for the urban poor could not be successfully implemented after many years of planning.
“They are now talking about involving the private sector in rehabilitation of slum dwellers. How will the private sector safeguard the interests of the marginalised and the oppressed?” Mr. Selva asked.
Builder N. Nandakumar of Devinarayan Housing said the concept of affordable housing, in the price bracket (approximate) of Rs.8 lakh to Rs.25 lakh, was gaining ground as the market for high-end housing was getting saturated. “The private sector will be able to play a meaningful role in affordable housing. Through a public-private sector alignment, we can create a system where the beneficiary will be the common man,” Mr. Nandakumar said.
What is affordable housing?
Affordable housing refers to homes within a specific price range and which are within the reach of salaried or fixed-income group families.
Income is the most important criteria to determine affordable housing for the specific group.
The Government of Tamil Nadu categorises families this way:
Category | Income (per month) |
Economically Weaker Sections | Rs.12,000 |
Low-Income Group | Rs.12,001 to 18,000 |
Middle-Income Group | Rs.18,001 to 37,000 |
High-Income Group | Rs.37,001 to 62,000 |
Super High-Income Group | Rs.62,001 |
In Chennai city, an estimated 13 lakh people live in 63 recognised slums — about 25 per cent of the total population of 65 lakh in Corporation limits.
Housing for All — Key features:
Rehabilitation of families in slums with participation of private developers using land as a resource
Promotion of affordable housing for weaker section through credit linked subsidy.
