Rental housing overhaul may create 1.25L low-cost homes

In a move which could create close to 1.25 lakh low-cost homes in the periphery of Mumbai, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday has issued orders that MMRDA's rental housing scheme be converted into an affordable housing scheme.

In a move which could create close to 1.25 lakh low-cost homes in the periphery of Mumbai, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday has issued orders that MMRDA's rental housing scheme be converted into an affordable housing scheme.

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Accepting the recommendations of the Rahul Asthana committee on rental homes, which was set up to make the scheme more effective, Chavan said 50% of the homes built under the scheme should be sold as affordable houses to the poor.

These homes are being constructed in places outside the city's limits like Thane and Panvel. Mumbaiites who were looking for affordable rental homes are likely to be a tad disappointed, as Chavan has directed that the number of rental homes should be limited as they will be difficult to manage and maintain.

Chavan said 25% of the houses will be given to the government to house its employees. The remaining 25% will be given to municipal bodies, which can use them to house employees, or provide them to project affected people, or give them out on rent, he said.