A National Symposium on Affordable Housing was organized on 22ndJuly, 2013. The symposium was attended by over 200 delegates from various stakeholders including representatives of State Governments / Urban Local Bodies, Banks, Industry Associations, Academia, Non-Governmental Organisations etc.
The Minister further stated that the key objective of the policy is to create an enabling environment for providing “affordable housing for all” with special emphasis on Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG) .
This was stated by Dr. (Ms.) Girija Vyas, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA), in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
The key outcomes of the Symposium are:
1. Presentation of recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force.
2. Update on Ministry’s efforts in revising and launching schemes for housing and urban poverty alleviation.
3. Eliciting perspectives of policy makers & regulators, implementers and other stakeholders.
4. Preparation of State Urban Housing and Habitat Policy along with an advisory model State Affordable Housing Policy by Ministry.
Other vulnerable sections of society such as Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minorities and senior citizens, physically challenged persons in the State and to ensure shelter for all.
The policy further aims to promote Public Private People Participation (PPPP) for addressing the shortage of adequate and affordable housing.
The Minister further stated that ‘Land’ and ‘Colonisation’ being State subject, it is the prime responsibility of State to devise their State Housing policy keeping in view the local needs with respect to geography, culture, social environment etc. However, Ministry assists the States in formulating their policies, the Minister added.
