With less than 24 hours left for the public to submit feedback on the proposed Housing Policy 2024, housing activists and the state housing federation have raised concerns about the draft. They argue that it lacks a clear vision and effective, real-time solutions for key issues like affordable housing, slum rehabilitation, rental housing, and construction finance. They describe it as a pre-election strategy aimed at attracting voters rather than addressing real needs. Initially, the submission deadline was October 3, but it was extended to October 31 following requests from stakeholders and the federation.
The Maharashtra Government’s Housing Department is crafting a new Housing Policy for 2024, replacing the last policy introduced in 2007. Since then, the real estate sector has seen major changes, including the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR)-2034 for Mumbai and the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR)-2020 for the state. These regulations have significantly influenced real estate across Maharashtra.
To address the challenge of “Housing for All” and achieve the goal of a “Slum-Free Maharashtra,” the new Housing Policy claims to focus on the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG), and Middle-Income Group (MIG) segments of the population. Chartered Accountant Ramesh Prabhu, founder Chairman of Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association (MahaSEWA), expressed concerns about the lack of vision and real-time solutions in the proposed draft. He emphasized the need for clear short- and long-term goals, statistical data, and execution plans to tackle major housing issues effectively.
Prabhu pointed out the silence in the policy regarding crucial aspects such as making affordable housing a reality amidst skyrocketing market prices, defining affordability, curbing the growth of slums, implementing rental housing, and addressing stalled projects under RERA. He emphasized the importance of transparency, cooperative housing societies for slum pockets, and the need for concrete decisions on stalled projects to protect the interests of flat buyers.
Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, Expert Director of the State Housing Federation, echoed similar concerns and called for uniform and simplified housing laws with minimal state interference. He emphasized the non-political nature of slum rehabilitation and proposed measures such as allocating government land to registered contractors for affordable housing projects, implementing a single-window approval system, and mandating rental housing in all projects.
In conclusion, the draft Housing Policy has faced criticism for its lack of clarity, vision, and real-time solutions to address pressing housing issues in Maharashtra. Stakeholders like housing activists, experts, and the state housing federation have highlighted the need for a comprehensive and transparent policy that focuses on affordable housing, slum rehabilitation, and rental housing while ensuring the protection of consumer interests and the achievement of “Housing for All” goals. The upcoming government is urged to engage with stakeholders and the public to revise the policy with clear objectives, vision, and quantifiable goal plans to meet the housing needs of the population effectively.
