Affordable homeApril 21, 2010

A really interesting question rising up these days is that is affordable housing taken seriously by our policy planners and key stakeholders? Now-a-days, talking and discussing affordable homes has become a fashion, including those who were not as such associated with realty sector.

But when enters the term ‘affordable homes’, one must put up a question that affordable for whom?  Around 44% of our population comprises of people earning Rs 8,500 to Rs 40,000 as their monthly income and fall both in the formal and the informal sectors.  Are these flats for these 44% people?  Also, the banks are now backing out from providing home loans. Arun Mohan, a senior advocate and writer answered all these questions in his latest offering “Affordable Housing: How Law and Policy can make it possible” .

According to Arun Mohan, there are three areas that need urgent attention to provide affordable homes: One, availability of flats which are affordable; two, availability of bank finance; and, three, availability of land for housing. Also, crisis of confidence is one of the major problem due to which prices are so high and the market is restricted. He gave answers to these questions too.  After a keen analysis, he came to the conclusion that “certifying-cum-performance guaranteeing company” [or a regulator] is required, which would control the builders and issues a “wideguarantee certificate” to the flat buyer in order to ensure him that he will be delivered the flat he pays for. This guarantee will prove beneficial since both the flat buyer will be willing to part with his money and bank will also be willing to finance it.