In a major relief for low-income families living in urban areas, the government has announced a new initiative to provide affordable rental housing to the urban poor. The move aims to ease the burden of rising house rents in cities and ensure safe and dignified living conditions for vulnerable groups.

The initiative will be implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Urban Housing Scheme (PM-UAY) 2.0, focusing on the reuse of vacant and unused government buildings.

Unused Government Buildings to Be Converted into Homes

As part of the plan, unused and vacant government-owned buildings located in urban areas will be identified immediately. These structures will be repaired and upgraded to make them fit for residential use before being offered on rent at affordable rates.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, has issued official instructions to various departments to identify such properties and submit reports at the earliest.

Officials said this approach will not only provide housing to the needy but will also help generate rental revenue for the government.

Who Will Benefit from the Scheme

The affordable rental housing will be targeted at:

• Urban poor families

• Migrant workers coming to cities for employment

• Industrial workers

• Working women

• Individuals unable to immediately afford home ownership

The scheme aims to support those who struggle to find decent housing due to high market rents.

Two Models for Affordable Rental Housing

According to the guidelines, rental housing will be offered through two models:

1. Public Agency Model: Government-owned houses will be rented out through public agencies.

2. Private Participation Model: Private developers will construct housing units and rent them out to eligible beneficiaries at affordable rates.

Boost to Urban Housing and Revenue

Officials said the initiative will help address housing shortages in cities while ensuring optimal use of existing infrastructure. By combining social welfare with revenue generation, the scheme is expected to become a sustainable model for urban housing development.

The government believes this step will significantly reduce housing stress and improve living standards for thousands of urban residents.

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