Uttar Pradesh identifies sites for rental housing scheme in 27 towns

Ritu Srivastava

The state government plans to resurrect the affordable rental housing scheme for people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The urban development department identified 27 towns in Uttar Pradesh where housing units will be provided to skilled and unskilled laborers who are forced to live in slums or roadside shanties.

Individuals with a monthly income of less than Rs 25,000 will be eligible for rental housing, with the local administration and urban body having the option of redefining the income criteria based on local dynamics.

Local governments have been asked to conduct surveys to determine whether affordable housing is required to improve the living conditions of the urban poor.

The properties will be offered to the interested party on a 25-year concession period. "The national average monthly rent for a single room unit is Rs 3,000" said an officer. As part of the PM Awas Yojana, the state government launched a survey to establish affordable rental housing complexes in 100 cities across Uttar Pradesh.

Neha Sharma, director of urban local bodies, stated that the state urban development authority will assist local bodies in identifying sites and existing housing projects that can be retrofitted to be suitable for urban poor housing.